Ethiopia’s Seventh General Election Draws Large Turnout and Nationwide Voting
NEWS in BRIEF
Ethiopia
Ethiopia successfully conducted voting in its 7th National General Election on June 1, 2026. Organized by the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), the election aimed to determine seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and regional councils. More than 54 million citizens registered to vote, with approximately 52,000 polling stations operational nationwide. Over 10,000 candidates from 42 political parties competed alongside 80 independent candidates, while voting was conducted smoothly across 501 constituencies. (See article)
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos authored an op-ed titled Africa in a Fractured World on Thursday (June 4), published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), examining how geopolitical rivalry is reshaping trade, investment, and security, and how Africa can navigate a rapidly changing global order by turning emerging competition into an advantage.
State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera welcomed a Finnish delegation led by Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy Outi Holopainen to Addis Ababa on Wednesday (June 3) for Ethiopia–Finland political consultations, reaffirming the two countries’ longstanding partnership.
State Minister Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, together with the senior leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and heads of FDRE missions and consulates general across the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, held a comprehensive review on Tuesday (June 2) of the nine-month performance report on Ethiopian citizens’ overseas employment.
Ethiopia and Finland held their second political consultation in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (June 3), reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. The consultation was co-chaired by Ambassador Meles Alem, Director General of American and European Affairs at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Outi Holopainen, Finland’s Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Kenya
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met on Wednesday (June 3) with former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his team. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the 73-member African Union Election Observation Mission, led by Kenyatta, for its service and contribution to Ethiopia’s democracy-building process.
Africa and the African Union
Ambassador Lemlem Fiseha, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the African Union and UNECA, presented her letters of credence to Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, on Thursday (June 4).
Ethiopia’s Seventh General Election Draws Large Turnout and Nationwide Voting
Ethiopia successfully conducted voting in its 7th National General Election on June 1, 2026. Organized by the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), the election aimed to determine seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and regional councils. More than 54 million citizens registered to vote, with approximately 52,000 polling stations operational nationwide. Over 10,000 candidates from 42 political parties competed alongside 80 independent candidates, while voting was conducted smoothly across 501 constituencies.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia described this cycle as an “Election of Many Firsts” due to major administrative and procedural reforms. For the first time, voters were given a hybrid registration option, combining a web-based self-registration and assisted digital system with traditional manual registration. Polling stations were also organized using GIS-based geospatial mapping to improve planning and efficiency. In addition, special voting arrangements were introduced to ensure inclusivity, allowing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and members of the National Defense Force to participate in the electoral process.
On election day, President Taye Atske Selassie stated that the seventh general election would write a new chapter in Ethiopian democracy. He said he cast his vote alongside millions of citizens, describing the moment as part of a collective effort to shape Ethiopia’s democratic path. He noted that while the country’s democracy is still young, the mandate of the people remains firm, saying, “Our democracy may be young, but the mandate of our people is resolute, irreversible, and entirely our own.”
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has also commended the Ethiopian people for their extraordinary commitment to democracy, patriotism, and national unity following their participation in the General Election. He described Ethiopians as an exceptional people, saying the election once again demonstrated the nation’s rich culture, deep patriotism, and commitment to the common good. He stated that Ethiopians have proven their resilience and civic responsibility through active participation in the electoral process.
In a statement, the Government Communication Service noted that Ethiopians responded overwhelmingly to the call to participate in the election, helping to strengthen constitutional governance and the country’s democratic institutions. It stated that “Ethiopians have voted, and Ethiopia has won,” describing the election as a demonstration of the people’s commitment to national causes and collective responsibility.
Speaking at a press briefing, NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu confirmed that voting was concluded successfully across the country. She noted that while exceptionally long queues were observed at polling stations in Addis Ababa, the election process remained orderly. She commended millions of Ethiopians who exercised their constitutional right to vote with patience, vigilance, and a strong sense of civic responsibility.
The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) reported that the General Election was peaceful, orderly, and marked by high participation. Observers who monitored 7,723 polling stations nationwide found strong compliance with electoral procedures, and noted that voting procedures were conducted in accordance with the country’s electoral laws and regulations, with active participation by voters and stakeholders.
International observation of the General Election was led by major continental delegations from the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The AU deployed an observation mission comprising 73 observers drawn from 35 African countries, while IGAD deployed 27 observers across eight regions of Ethiopia to monitor the country’s election. Following the vote, these missions deployed teams across the country and issued preliminary findings assessing the conduct of the electoral process.
The AU Election Observation Mission, led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, commended Ethiopia’s 7th General Election for its generally peaceful, orderly, and transparent conduct, noting that it took place within a legal and institutional framework that supports democratic governance. The Mission deployed observers across multiple regions, monitoring hundreds of polling stations and reporting high voter participation, strong procedural compliance, professional conduct of security forces, and overall efficient electoral administration. It described the process as a positive reflection of Ethiopia’s ongoing democratic development and commitment to regional electoral standards.
The IGAD Election Observation Mission, led by former Ugandan Vice President Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, commended Ethiopia’s 7th General Election for its generally peaceful, orderly conduct and significant electoral reforms, noting strong voter participation and improved administrative capacity by NEBE. The mission deployed observers across multiple regions, reporting high compliance with electoral procedures, extensive use of digital voter registration systems
The diplomatic community, including the Delegation of the European Union to Ethiopia together with EU Member States and the diplomatic missions of Canada, Norway, and Switzerland, welcomed the conduct of the General Election, describing it as an important milestone in the country’s democratic journey. Japan also commended Ethiopia for the successful conduct of the election, praising the efforts of electoral authorities and the active participation of citizens in the democratic process, while the British Embassy in Addis Ababa congratulated NEBE on the successful completion of the voting phase and commended candidates, civil society observers, volunteers, election officials, and citizens for their contributions to the smooth conduct of the vote.
International Media Coverage of the General Election
International media also covered Ethiopia’s 7th General Election, focusing on the large voter turnout and the generally peaceful conduct of the process. Reports noted long queues at polling stations and widespread public participation as key features of the vote, while also highlighting the orderly atmosphere in which voting took place across many areas.
The Jerusalem Post stated that Ethiopia’s 7th General Election represents an important milestone in the country’s ongoing democratic and institutional development, reflecting continued efforts to strengthen constitutional governance and public participation. It noted that the electoral process was supported by reforms aimed at modernizing administration and improving efficiency, including the introduction of digital systems and expanded civic engagement initiatives. The article also highlighted the role of domestic and international observers in reinforcing transparency and credibility, framing the election as part of Ethiopia’s broader trajectory of political reform, economic development, and regional engagement.
In an article published by Al Jazeera Media Network titled “Ethiopia’s election is about affirming national commitment to democracy”, Enatalem Meles, Minister and Head of the Government Communication Service, stated that Ethiopia’s general election represented more than a routine political exercise, framing it instead as part of a broader process of democratic consolidation in a country undergoing political transition and socioeconomic change. She emphasized that the vote reflected a wider effort to strengthen democratic institutions and political participation amid ongoing challenges. She also highlighted the role of complementary national processes aimed at fostering dialogue on long-term political and constitutional issues, arguing that elections alone cannot resolve all structural questions facing the country.
CGTN Africa followed voters as polling stations opened, showing people lining up to cast their ballots, while also covering visits by the African Union Election Observation Mission, led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, to polling stations in Addis Ababa, where observers noted that the voting process had started smoothly and was proceeding well.
China Daily reported that millions of Ethiopians participated in the country’s 7th General Election as polling stations opened across the nation, with long queues forming early in the capital and other areas. It also highlighted statements from voters and officials emphasizing strong civic participation, alongside the organization of the vote for parliamentary and regional seats, with international observers deployed to monitor the process.
Xinhua covered the joint press conference presenting preliminary findings on Ethiopia’s seventh general election by Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission Uhuru Kenyatta and Head of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Election Observation Mission Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe. The missions characterized the election as having witnessed high voter turnout and generally orderly and peaceful participation.
The Associated Press and The Washington Post also reported on Ethiopia’s 7th General Election, noting the participation of millions of registered voters.
The election received extensive coverage from international media outlets and election observation missions. International media continued to monitor and report on developments throughout the electoral process.
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