Addis Ababa, May 29, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia is now in the final countdown to its 7th General Election scheduled for June 1, 2026, as nationwide preparations transition from planning and coordination to full electoral execution under a completed institutional, logistical, and regulatory framework led by the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE).
With only days remaining before voters head to the polls, all key electoral systems, administrative arrangements, and operational structures have been finalized to ensure the smooth conduct of the national vote across the country.
NEBE has completed major pre-election preparations, including the registration and certification of candidates, establishment of electoral logistics, and nationwide deployment of arrangements for constituencies and polling stations. The Board continues to coordinate closely with political parties and stakeholders as attention now shifts fully toward election day implementation.
According to NEBE, more than 50.5 million voters have been registered nationwide, marking one of the largest electoral participation bases on the African continent. The voter registration process was conducted through both digital and manual systems, supported by expanded electoral infrastructure and nationwide administrative deployment.
The election will be conducted across approximately 49,000 polling stations nationwide, distributed across regions and city administrations to ensure broad access and coverage. NEBE has also confirmed that election materials have been fully distributed and logistical preparations completed in advance of polling day.
In parallel with institutional preparations, political parties have actively engaged the public through nationwide campaign rallies, consultations, debates, and public forums organized within the electoral framework. These rallies have played a central role in the campaign period, allowing parties to mobilize support, present their programs, and directly engage voters across different parts of the country.
According to official data, 47 political parties have registered more than 10,900 candidates, competing for seats at federal and regional levels. Independent candidates have also participated in the electoral process, reflecting a broad and competitive field of political participation.
As campaigning concludes, NEBE has enforced the mandatory electoral “Period of Silence,” following the completion of nationwide debate programs. The Board stated that the debates provided an important platform for political parties to present their policies and allowed voters to make informed choices ahead of polling day. During this period, all campaign activities, public political gatherings, and election-related media engagements are prohibited in line with electoral regulations.
Ethiopia’s electoral process has also attracted significant continental engagement, reflecting growing confidence in the country’s electoral institutions and its role in advancing Africa-led democratic governance cooperation. The deployment of high-level observation missions from both the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) underscores Ethiopia’s strengthened diplomatic standing and its position as an active partner in regional democratic processes and electoral best practices. The African Union has deployed 73 observers from 37 member countries, while IGAD has deployed 26 observers from its member states, in a collective effort that highlights shared continental commitment to credible, transparent, and institutionally grounded electoral processes.
Both missions are expected to monitor key stages of the electoral process, including polling operations, vote counting, and results tabulation across different parts of the country. Their presence reflects not only oversight functions, but also broader continental collaboration in strengthening democratic governance frameworks and reinforcing institutional trust across Africa.
NEBE has also issued nationwide voting-day directives, confirming that all federal and regional government institutions will remain closed on election day. Essential services, including hospitals, emergency services, hotels, restaurants, and transport operations, will continue under exemption to ensure continuity of critical public functions while prioritizing voter participation.
The directive is intended to support an orderly and accessible voting environment, ensuring citizens can fully exercise their constitutional right to vote without administrative or logistical obstacles.
Ethiopia’s electoral process is taking place alongside intensified institutional and public engagement activities, including extensive media accreditation, voter education programs, multilingual debate forums, and structured airtime allocations for political parties. NEBE has emphasized that these measures have been designed to strengthen transparency, expand voter awareness, and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.
As the country moves into the final days before polling, voters from across Ethiopia told Fana Media Corporation that they are preparing to participate with a strong sense of civic responsibility and expectation. Many expressed readiness to cast their ballots for parties and candidates they believe best reflect their aspirations, describing the election as a decisive national moment following months of campaigns, debates, and public engagement.
With all systems in place and nationwide preparations completed, Ethiopia now enters the final stretch toward election day, with full attention turning to the implementation of the voting process under a structured national framework and strengthened continental engagement.