Addis Ababa, May 30, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’’s 7th general election is being marked by extensive political participation, institutional coordination, and nationwide logistical preparations, according to the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE).
A total of 54,057,871 voters have been registered to participate in the election, which will determine the country’s leadership for the next five years.
NEBE confirmed that 42 political parties are competing in the electoral process, alongside 10,438 candidates running under party banners and 80 independent candidates.
As part of political engagement and voter outreach efforts, parties have conducted 19 debate sessions across five languages during their allocated airtime, presenting their programmes and policy alternatives to the public.
The election is also being supported by a wide observation framework involving both domestic and international actors.
More than 250,000 election observers are expected to monitor the process across polling stations and constituencies nationwide.
At the international level, the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have deployed election observation missions to follow the electoral process.
The AU mission is composed of 59 members and is led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, while IGAD has deployed a 26-member observation team.
On the domestic front, 55 locally organized civil society organizations have been accredited for observation duties, deploying a total of 1,562 observers across the country.
NEBE further confirmed that election materials have been distributed to regional and city administrations across Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Central Ethiopia, Dire Dawa, Gambella, Harari, Oromia, Southern Ethiopia, and Southwestern Ethiopia regions.
The Board said the nationwide distribution of materials forms part of final operational preparations ahead of polling day.