MOGADISHU, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's electoral body on Thursday released an official timetable for the upcoming national elections, scheduling parliamentary polls for April 15 and the presidential election for May 15, 2027.
The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission said the schedule covers elections for both houses of parliament and the presidency, in line with the country's constitution and national electoral law.
The commission also released a schedule of preparatory milestones leading up to the vote, beginning with a 21-day review of regulations governing political parties and candidate registration on Nov. 1.
The electoral body noted that this initial phase will include extensive public consultations before candidate submissions and campaign periods begin.
Under the schedule, political parties and relevant stakeholders are required to submit their parliamentary candidate lists by Nov. 22, four months ahead of the vote.
Presidential candidate registration is set for Jan. 21, 2027, fulfilling Article 34(1) of the National Electoral Law, which mandates a 60-day window prior to the vote.
Meanwhile, parliamentary campaigns will kick off on Feb. 27, 2027, while the presidential campaign period is slated to begin on March 15, 2027, exactly 30 days ahead of the election.
While the federal government welcomed the announcement as a vital step toward strengthening democratic governance, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo rejected the timetable, warning that proceeding without political consensus could trigger renewed conflict.
Farmaajo criticized the electoral body as "one-sided," alleging that President Mohamud is forging ahead with the electoral schedule without the endorsement of opposition leaders or federal member states.
A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said that the government views the timetable as a crucial step toward executing the electoral process and strengthening the nation's democratic institutions.
The prime minister noted that for the past 18 months, the administration has provided avenues for consultation to help all Somali parties agree on key national decisions, most notably the election framework.
"The government affirms that these consultations and negotiations will continue, and will strive to be fruitful and lead to a broad consensus," it said on Thursday evening.
"The government calls on all political parties to participate in the consultations in good faith and with national responsibility, and to work together for peaceful elections that strengthen the confidence of the people and the future of Somali governance," it added.
Somalia last held direct, one-person, one-vote universal suffrage elections in March 1969, shortly before the government was overthrown in a bloodless military coup later that year. ■