Ethiopia, 6 November 2025 - The Joint Council of Ethiopian Political Parties has warned that the current environment in the country could undermine the integrity and transparency of the general elections scheduled for June 2026, urging the government and relevant institutions to implement comprehensive reforms to ensure a free and fair process.
In an official letter addressed to the National Election Board of Ethiopia, the House of People’s Representatives, and the Office of the Prime Minister, the council stated that “the current legal framework and the prevailing security situation do not allow political parties to operate with full freedom,” warning that continued restrictions could jeopardize the credibility of the upcoming elections and weaken public trust in their outcome.
The council stressed its aim for the next elections to be “freer, fairer, more peaceful, and more democratic than previous ones,” producing results that strengthen confidence among citizens, political parties, and observers in the country’s democratic trajectory.
It identified four key areas requiring urgent reform: mechanisms for collecting support signatures for candidates, access to government funding for political parties, review of the existing electoral system, and reassessment of the election timetable to ensure transparency and broad participation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed affirmed during a recent parliamentary session that the national elections will be held on schedule despite the challenges facing the country.
