Somaliland’s House of Elders approved a 27-month extension of the current parliamentary term in April 2026, formally shifting elections from the planned May 2026 date to March 2027. The National Electoral Commission cited security concerns in disputed eastern regions, logistical and technical preparations, and drought-related challenges as primary reasons for the delay. This institutional decision by the upper house, combined with the absence of any subsequent legislative reversal or expedited timetable, underpins trader consensus that no vote will occur before 2027. While the three authorized parties—Waddani, Kulmiye, and UCID—remain positioned for the contest, scenarios that could alter the timeline include sudden security improvements enabling an earlier poll or renewed political pressure on the Guurti to shorten the extension, though neither appears imminent under present conditions.