By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Ethiopia, June 01, 2026 - Ethiopia’s 7th General Election continued on Monday under the watch of domestic and international observers, with both the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the African Union Election Observation Mission reporting that the electoral process has so far proceeded peacefully and without recorded human rights violations.
The assessments come as millions of Ethiopians cast their ballots across the country in one of Africa’s largest electoral exercises, with more than 54 million registered voters expected to participate in selecting representatives for the federal parliament and regional state councils.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said its ongoing observation efforts had not identified any cases of improper treatment or violations of human rights linked to the electoral process.
A monitoring team led by Commissioner Birhanu Adelo conducted inspections at polling stations in Arba Minch and Jimma, where the Commission assessed voting procedures, accessibility standards, and overall compliance with electoral requirements.
According to the Commission, polling centres visited by its observers were adequately prepared, including provisions designed to accommodate persons with disabilities, while voting procedures appeared to be operating within the framework established by electoral regulations.
The EHRC noted that its election monitoring operation extends far beyond the two locations visited by senior commissioners. Observers have been deployed across 175 electoral districts and more than 2,700 polling stations nationwide as part of an effort to independently assess both electoral conduct and the protection of fundamental rights throughout the voting process.
The Commission further indicated that its oversight mandate would continue beyond election day, with additional monitoring planned during the post-election period to assess developments after the announcement of results.
The domestic assessment was echoed by the African Union Election Observation Mission, led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, which also reported positive preliminary observations from polling stations across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the mission, Kenyatta stated that African Union observers deployed across Ethiopia had monitored voting since the morning and found that the majority of polling stations opened on schedule and were operating in accordance with established procedures.
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According to the mission’s preliminary findings, voters were freely exercising their democratic rights and selecting their preferred candidates without undue influence or coercion.
“Based on what we have observed, citizens are choosing their preferred parties without any pressure,” Kenyatta said, describing the process as peaceful and credible.
The African Union mission further noted that observers stationed across different regions of the country would continue monitoring developments throughout the electoral process before issuing a comprehensive assessment in the coming days.
While election observation missions typically refrain from making definitive conclusions before voting and counting processes are completed, the early assessments from both the EHRC and the African Union contribute to a broader picture of an election that, thus far, appears to be proceeding within established legal and institutional frameworks.
The findings also reinforce statements made earlier by the National Election Board of Ethiopia, which expressed confidence in the preparedness of the electoral process and the ability of institutions to manage voting across the country.
As polling continues, attention is expected to shift from voter turnout and election-day administration to the counting process, results management, and the post-election environment, all of which will play a critical role in shaping public confidence in the final outcome.
For Ethiopia, the significance of the election extends beyond the mechanics of voting. The process will ultimately determine the composition of the next federal parliament and regional councils, influencing governance priorities and political direction for the next five years.