Uhuru, IGAD Missions Step Up Election Monitoring Ahead of Ethiopia Polls

By Issa Hussein - Reporter

Ethiopia, 31 May 2026 - Regional and continental election observer missions have intensified preparations ahead of Ethiopia's 7th General Election scheduled for June 1, with observer teams deployed across the country and leaders of the missions holding consultations on electoral preparedness.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Election Observation Mission has completed a two-day orientation programme for its observers and dispatched them to various regions to monitor the electoral process.

The final training session focused on election-day observation procedures, logistics, security arrangements and operational readiness to ensure a coordinated monitoring exercise.

IGAD Election Observation Mission Head Dr Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe and her deputy Mohamed Ali Houmed urged observers to uphold professionalism, impartiality and internationally recognised principles of election observation.

The deployment comes as Dr Kazibwe met former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is leading the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), to review preparations ahead of the polls.

According to IGAD, the two leaders exchanged pre-election assessments, discussed observer deployment plans and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting a peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive electoral process.

They also reviewed coordination mechanisms between the two observer missions and agreed on timelines for releasing their preliminary election findings, expected on June 3 in Addis Ababa.

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Separately, Mr Kenyatta held talks with a United Nations delegation led by Dr Ozonnia Ojielo, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator for Ethiopia.

The discussions centred on the country's preparedness for the election and opportunities for continued international support to Ethiopia's democratic and development agenda.

The engagements underscore growing regional and international attention on Ethiopia's election, with observer missions expected to assess the conduct of voting, adherence to electoral laws and the overall integrity of the process.

Observer teams from both IGAD and the African Union are expected to monitor polling stations across the country before issuing preliminary assessments after the vote.