By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
ADDIS ABABA (Dawan Africa) – Ethiopia’s Prime Minister’s Office has officially defended the June 1, 2026 national elections, dismissing allegations that the outcome had been predetermined.
In a statement issued on June 5, the office noted that over 54 million Ethiopians registered to vote, while the National Election Board reported that more than 50,188 out of 52,000 polling stations opened on schedule.
The statement also highlighted that 10,438 candidates from 42 political parties contested seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives and regional councils.
Describing the elections as the largest and most advanced democratic exercise in Ethiopia’s history, the Prime Minister’s Office rejected criticism from some international analysts who described the vote as a “ceremonial” or predetermined process.
“No pre-determined results required 83 independent observers from 37 African countries, 65,299 domestic observers, or 1,100 recognized international journalists,” the statement read.
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The office cited assessments from the African Union and IGAD, which confirmed that the elections were conducted legally and institutionally, supporting the country’s democratic governance.
It further stated that the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission did not record any human rights violations during the voting period, and the Coalition of Civil Election Observers monitored 99% of polling stations without incident.
The government also condemned attempts by armed groups to disrupt the electoral process through attacks, roadblocks, and acts intended to create instability.
Finally, the Prime Minister’s Office emphasized that political complaints can be addressed within Ethiopia’s constitutional framework, through the National Dialogue process and democratic institutions, and reiterated that extremism has no place in the country.