AMN Plus-May 29, 2026
Ethiopia is preparing to hold its 7th General Election on 1 June 2026, an event that has drawn major national and international attention because of the countryโs geographical significance in the horn of Africa.
The election is expected to determine the composition of the House of Peoplesโ Representatives as well as regional councils across the country.
NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu announced that voter registration officially concluded on April 22, 2026, after being extended by two additional weeks to increase participation. The registration process combined both manual and digital systems, allowing citizens to register either in person or through the โMirchayeโ mobile application.
NEBE reported that more than 5.5 million voters used the digital platform, while the majority completed registration through physical polling stations across the country.
NEBE stated that over 52,000 polling stations have been established nationwide and that election materials, including ballots and administrative supplies, have already been distributed to constituencies.
The board has deployed nearly 200,000 election workers and officials to facilitate the voting process and oversee polling stations. Special voting arrangements have also been prepared for internally displaced persons (IDPs), university students, and members of the national defense forces to ensure broader participation despite displacement and instability in some regions.
Candidate registration for the election was conducted between January and February 2026. NEBE announced that 47 political parties registered more than 10,000 candidates to compete for seats in federal and regional councils.
By Yonas Asres
