As a visitor enters the port city of Kismaayo,  he is greeted by an imposing monument bearing the words ‘Kismaayo waa nabad’, which means ‘Kismaayo is peaceful’ in Somali.

These reassuring words are especially significant now as Somalia prepares for the formal start of the 2016 electoral process.

Preparations for the forthcoming electoral process have been gathering pace, as parliamentary candidates drum up support for their campaigns for elected office.

Mohamed Salad Nunow and Abdi Gashan Igal will be seeking the endorsements of clan elders and electoral college delegates to represent the people of Somalia in the next federal parliament. Supporters of the two candidates have already placed campaign posters in strategic positions around Kismaayo to promote their candidate.

 “Vote for Justice and Prosperity. Elect a youth who is loyal”, one of the posters reads. “Support me for real representation, prosperity, peace and stability”, reads another.

Mohamed Nunow has been on the campaign trail for weeks now. He commends the Jubbaland administration’s efforts to prepare the state for the electoral process.

“This year’s electoral process seems to be more competitive. And when there are many candidates, it restores the hope for democracy and good governance for this country,’’ the parliamentary candidate observed.

The Jubbaland Minister of Information, Technology and Telecommunications Abdinor Ali Aden noted that the number of candidates vying for seats in the lower house of the federal parliament had increased. He reaffirmed the commitment by Jubbaland authorities to safeguard the electoral process in the coming weeks.

“Jubbaland forces have beefed up security to ensure the electoral process proceeds peacefully,” Mr. Aden said.