IGAD Mission Begins Monitoring Ahead of Ethiopia’s Crucial Polls

Ethiopia, 27 May 2026 - In a statement released on Wednesday, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) confirmed the arrival of its Election Observation Mission in Ethiopia ahead of the country’s 7th General Election.

The mission, invited by the Government of Ethiopia and the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), marks a significant regional effort to monitor and assess the credibility of the polls.

The delegation is led by Dr. Speciosa Wandira‑Kazibwe, former Vice President of Uganda, with Mohamed Ali Houmed, former President of Djibouti’s National Assembly, serving as deputy head.

The 26 short‑term observers drawn from across IGAD member states make up the team, representing election management bodies, civil society organisations, and women’s and youth groups.Observers will be deployed across most of Ethiopia’s national regional states, including the Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa city administrations.

Their task is to monitor election‑day procedures, from the opening of polling stations to voting, closing, and ballot counting.

The mission’s evaluation will be guided by Ethiopia’s electoral laws, the IGAD Draft Protocol on Democracy, Governance and Elections, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the International Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.

During their stay, the observers will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including the National Electoral Board, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, federal police, political parties, civil society organisations, women and youth groups, media, and other domestic and international monitors.

A preliminary statement of findings will be released on 3 June 2026, at a press conference in Addis Ababa’s Skylight Hotel, with a final report to follow once official results are announced.The mission arrives at a pivotal moment for Ethiopia.