Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Casts Vote As Millions Of Ethiopians Participate In Landmark Election

Ethiopia, 1 June 2026 - Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed joined millions of Ethiopians on Monday in casting his ballot in the country's 7th General Election, describing the vote as a defining moment for Ethiopia's future and calling on those seeking office to honour the trust being placed in them by citizens.

Abiy cast his vote in his hometown of Beshasha as polling stations across the country opened for one of Africa's largest electoral exercises.

More than 54 million registered voters are expected to participate in the election, choosing representatives for the federal parliament and nine regional state councils.

The vote features candidates from 42 political parties, with more than 10,000 candidates competing for public office across approximately 52,000 polling stations nationwide.

The election is being closely watched both within Ethiopia and internationally due to the country's demographic size, economic significance, and growing regional influence.

Speaking after casting his ballot, Prime Minister Abiy praised the turnout witnessed across the country, saying the long and orderly queues seen at polling stations reflected the political maturity of the Ethiopian people.

"The long lines that have formed today show that the Ethiopian people do not need anyone to lecture them on how to determine their destiny, build their democracy, and strengthen their statehood," Abiy said.

The Prime Minister said his greatest concern was not the conduct of voters, but whether those elected would demonstrate the commitment, integrity and work ethic required to meet the country's expectations over the next five years.

"My concern is not about the people. The people have already shown their commitment. My concern is whether those who will be elected are psychologically prepared and ready to carry the enormous responsibility that comes with the trust the public is placing in them," he said.

Abiy described the coming years as a critical period for Ethiopia, arguing that the country stands at the threshold of a major transformation that will require vision, sacrifice and sustained effort.

"The next five years will be a transformative period. It will require extraordinary work, strategic thinking and collective effort to ensure Ethiopia moves from dependency to becoming a self-reliant nation and a pillar of stability in the region," he said.

While expressing confidence in the electoral process, the Prime Minister acknowledged that he harboured personal concerns about whether elected leaders would possess what he described as the "purity of heart" and determination needed to alter the country's trajectory.