By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Ethiopia, June 01,2026 - As Ethiopia’s 7th General Election continues taking place the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is affirming that voting is being conducted in a free, fair, and democratic manner as millions of citizens participate in the nationwide electoral process.
Addressing the Media earlier, NEBE Chairperson Melatework Hailu said the Board had completed all necessary pre-election preparations ahead of the vote, noting that administrative and logistical arrangements were finalised in time to allow polling stations to open smoothly across the country at 6:00 a.m.
Her remarks come at a moment when Ethiopia is managing one of its largest electoral exercises, with more than 54 million registered voters expected to participate in choosing representatives for the federal parliament and nine regional state councils.
According to NEBE, the early hours of voting were marked by the arrival of citizens at polling stations from morning, with voters exercising what the Board described as their democratic rights in a peaceful and orderly environment.
The election brings together candidates from 42 political parties and more than 10,000 contenders competing for public office across approximately 52,000 polling stations established nationwide, underscoring the scale and administrative complexity of the process.
Beyond the logistical dimensions, the vote carries significant political weight, as the composition of the House of Peoples’ Representatives will directly determine the formation of the next federal government, while also shaping governance structures at the regional level.
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NEBE has deployed election officials, security personnel, observers, and polling staff across the country in what has been described as one of Africa’s most extensive electoral operations in terms of voter reach and geographic coverage.
The Chairperson reiterated that the Board’s focus remains on ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and credibility throughout the voting process, emphasising that all pre-election activities were carried out in line with established electoral procedures and timelines.
While NEBE maintains that conditions for a credible election have been met, the broader political significance of the exercise lies in how effectively institutional arrangements translate into public trust and political stability in a highly decentralised federal system.
The election is being closely watched both domestically and internationally, reflecting Ethiopia’s strategic position in the region and the importance of its internal political balance for broader governance and development trajectories.
With voting ongoing across urban and rural constituencies, early turnout patterns suggest sustained public engagement, as citizens continue to participate in shaping the country’s political direction through the ballot box.