Addis Ababa, May 29, 2026 (FMC) — The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has announced its readiness for Monday’s election, reporting that more than 54 million voters have been registered and that all major preparations have been completed.
Speaking to the media today, NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu said the Board has completed key electoral preparations, including voter registration, training programs, observer recruitment, media accreditation, voter education activities, and coordination of polling stations, election officials, and security arrangements.
According to the Chairperson, a total of 54, 57,871 voters have been registered to participate in the election.
She noted that 42 political parties will compete in the polls, while 10,438 candidates will contest under party banners and 80 candidates will run as independents.
Highlighting efforts to ensure a well-informed electorate, Melatwork said political parties received priority training opportunities and were provided platforms to present their policies and programs to the public.
As part of voter awareness and civic engagement initiatives, NEBE organized 19 public debate forums broadcast through eight media outlets in five languages—Amharic, Afaan Oromo, Somali, Afar, and Sidama.
The Board also reported extensive media coverage throughout the electoral period, including 782 hours of radio broadcasts, 570 hours of television coverage, and 576 newspaper columns dedicated to election-related content.
To facilitate observation activities, more than 250,000 observer entry badges were distributed, while 169 civil society organizations were licensed to conduct voter education programs across the country.
The election has also drawn growing regional attention. The deployment of election observation missions by both the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development underscores broader continental support for democratic processes in Africa and reflects increasing confidence in African-led electoral oversight mechanisms.
Addressing election security and voter protection measures, Melatwork said all necessary electoral materials have been delivered and operational arrangements completed. She added that a multi-stakeholder task force comprising courts, police, and other institutions has been established to prevent harassment and violence, particularly against women, during the electoral process.
A dedicated monitoring team has also been formed and will be deployed on the eve of the election to oversee final preparations and help ensure a peaceful and orderly vote.
The announcement comes as Ethiopia enters the final phase of preparations for the election, with authorities emphasizing transparency, voter participation, and institutional readiness ahead of polling day.