Somalia to introduce direct universal suffrage in 2024
For decades, Somali politics have been driven by a complex indirect system of representation. Prominent national roles, such as Prime Minister and President, have been divided based on clan affiliations, and national legislators have been elected by state legislatures and clan delegates. This system creates a government that reflects clans’ power and priorities far more than it does the will of the people.
This is now set to change. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to replace this indirect system with universal suffrage (i.e., a “one person, one vote” system) that gives the people a much greater say in who represents them at the local and national levels.
The first such election by universal suffrage has already taken place in the state of Puntland in what has been hailed as a “historic” vote by the United Nations, African Union, and others. Further universal suffrage elections are expected to be implemented nationwide by Spring 2024.
If implemented effectively, universal suffrage can perhaps offer some stability and positive momentum for a country that has been marred by political crises in recent years. It may also apply some pressure on neighboring countries that have not yet enacted this critical democratic reform.
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France becomes world’s first country to adopt universal suffrage for all men (1793 C.E.)
Universal suffrage (or franchise) ensures the right to vote for as many people who are bound by a government’s laws as possible, as supported by the “one person, one vote” principle.
All of the world’s nations guarantee universal suffrage for all citizens (2035 C.E. ???)
As of 2023, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates were the only major nations in the world that did not offer all adult citizens (who are not incarcerated) the right to vote.
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