IGAD Observers Intensify Stakeholder Consultations as Ethiopia Heads Toward Monday’s Vote

Addis Ababa, May 29, 2026 (FMC) — With Ethiopia entering the final days before Monday’s 7th General Election, regional election observers have stepped up consultations with political actors and civil society groups as momentum continues building ahead of the nationwide vote.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Election Observation Mission on Friday held a series of meetings in Addis Ababa with key stakeholders involved in the electoral process as part of efforts to assess the overall election environment ahead of polling day.

The mission, led by former Ugandan Vice President Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe, met with representatives of the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections, where discussions focused on election preparedness, civic and voter education activities, local observation efforts, media access, and the role of civil society in supporting inclusive democratic participation.

The observer team also held talks with leaders of the Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA) Party, one of Ethiopia’s major opposition parties, focusing on political participation, campaign conditions, electoral integrity, and media coverage ahead of the vote.

IGAD said the consultations form part of its broader observation process aimed at gathering perspectives from different stakeholders to help inform its assessment of Ethiopia’s electoral process.

The regional bloc’s engagements come as Addis Ababa continues to host continental and international observer delegations ahead of the June 1 election, which is expected to see more than 50 million Ethiopians head to the polls in one of Africa’s largest democratic exercises this year.

Political campaigns, voter awareness activities, observer briefings, and institutional preparations have continued to gather pace across the country as Ethiopia moves closer to election day.