According to the authorities, two suicide bombers killed 48 people and injured 108 others in central Somalia.
The two attackers, believed to belong to the Islamist terrorist group Al-Shabaab, triggered violent explosions in the regional capital Beledwayne, where parliamentary elections are currently taking place, on Wednesday evening.
Among the dead is the member of parliament Amina Mohamed, as well as other politicians and security forces, said police spokesman Hassan Dhi'isow of the German Press Agency.
Mohamed and another fatality are said to have been there to run for seats in the House of Representatives, it said.
The Islamist terrorist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack via the radio station Andalus.
The security situation in the country is currently tense as elections are held that have been postponed several times.
Al-Shabaab attacked the heavily guarded airport in the capital Mogadishu on Wednesday.
The country on the Horn of Africa with around 16 million inhabitants has been rocked by attacks by Al-Shabaab for years.
Al-Shabaab controls large parts of the south and central regions.
The terrorist group repeatedly carries out attacks on security forces and civilians.