Addis Ababa, May 30,2026: Ethiopia has finalized preparations for its 7th General Election, with more than 54 million registered voters expected to participate in one of the country’s largest democratic exercises.
According to the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), a total of 54,057,871 voters have been registered for the election. The contest features 42 political parties, with 10,438 candidates representing political parties and 80 independent candidates competing for various seats.
As part of efforts to promote informed voter participation, political parties conducted 19 debate forums in five different languages using officially allocated airtime. The debates provided candidates and parties with an opportunity to present their policies and engage with the electorate ahead of polling day.
More than 250,000 party representatives have been deployed by competing political parties across the country to monitor the electoral process and ensure transparency during voting and vote counting.
The election is also being closely observed by regional and international organizations. The African Union (AU) has deployed a 59-member election observer mission led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, while the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has sent a 26-member observer team to monitor the polls.
Domestic election observation efforts are also underway. The election board has accredited 55 local civic organizations, which have collectively deployed 1,562 election observers across the country.
Election materials have been distributed to districts and polling centers across Ethiopia’s regions to facilitate a smooth voting process. The highest number of distribution points was recorded in the Oromia Region with 179 locations, followed by Amhara Region with 130 locations.
The regional distribution of election materials is as follows:
| Region | Distribution Points |
| Addis Ababa | 33 |
| Afar | 32 |
| Amhara | 130 |
| Benishangul-Gumuz | 22 |
| Central Ethiopia | 35 |
| Dire Dawa | 48 |
| Gambella | 14 |
| Harari | 3 |
| Oromia | 179 |
| South Ethiopia | 56 |
| South West Ethiopia | 22 |
Election authorities have expressed confidence in the logistical preparations and monitoring mechanisms put in place, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process.
The 7th General Election is being viewed as a significant milestone for Ethiopia’s democratic development, with millions of citizens expected to cast their votes under the scrutiny of both domestic and international observers.
