By Goth Mohamed Goth
HARGEISA – The Somaliland House of Elders (Guurti) has approved a 27-month term extension for the House of Representatives and District Councils, pushing their mandate from July 7, 2026, to October 7, 2028.
The decision, announced in a press statement on Saturday, cites ongoing regional conflicts in Sool, Sanaag, Awdal, and SSC, drought conditions, and economic fallout from instability in the Middle East as the primary reasons for the delay in holding elections.
According to the Guurti’s statement, the extension process began with a formal request from the President, conveyed via letter reference JSL/XM/GG/081/2-257/042026, dated April 18, 2026. The letter included a proposal from the National Electoral Commission and called on the upper house to address the electoral delay.
To examine the matter, the Guurti leadership appointed a 25-member committee composed of 21 parliamentarians, the House leadership, and the Secretary General. The committee met separately with the National Electoral Commission and representatives from Somaliland’s three national political parties: Kaah, Kulmiye, and Wadani.
In its ruling, the Guurti cited several legal provisions, including Articles 42 (paragraphs 1 and 3) and Article 83 of the Somaliland Constitution, as well as Article 6 (paragraph 4) of the amended General Elections Law and Voter Registration Law (Law No. 91/2023), which empower the House of Elders to evaluate and decide on term extensions.
The House determined that “circumstances causing the election delay include conflicts present in some regions of the country such as Sool, Sanaag, Awdal and SSC, and drought – as spring rains did not reach the whole country, with some areas still facing water shortages – in addition to economic difficulties caused by instability in the Middle East.”
The Guurti also noted the need to secure peace in the eastern regions and prepare them for future elections to ensure free and fair voting nationwide.
Key provisions of the term extension decision:
1. The term of the House of Representatives and District Councils, originally expiring on July 7, 2026, is extended by 27 months, ending on October 7, 2028.
2. In line with Article 19 of the constitution, the term of the House of Elders shall end one year after that of the lower house – setting the Guurti’s new term expiry on October 7, 2029.
The decision was passed by a show of hands, with 72 members voting in favor, no opposing votes, and no abstentions. The Chairman did not vote, following custom. The quorum was recorded as 73 members.
The statement was signed by:
· Sulaiman Mahmoud Aden – Chairman of the House of Elders
· Abdinasir Aden Beegsi – Secretary of the House of Elders
