Somaliland’s House of Elders approved a 27-month term extension for the House of Representatives and local councils in April 2026, shifting the parliamentary vote from its prior May 2026 target to March 2027. The decision followed National Electoral Commission recommendations citing security risks in eastern and border regions, drought-related displacement affecting voter registration, and technical preparations needed for credible polling under the six-region proportional system. With the current mandate now running into 2028, traders assign overwhelming probability to no election before 2027. Only an abrupt reversal by the Guurti, rapid resolution of regional conflicts, or successful legal challenge could alter this timeline, though no such developments have materialized in recent months. The three authorized parties—Waddani, Kulmiye, and UCID—remain positioned for the eventual contest.