Senior Ethiopian Leaders Join Millions in Casting Ballots in 7th General Election

Addis Ababa, June 1, 2026 (FMC) — Senior Ethiopian government leaders have joined millions of citizens in casting their ballots as voting continues across the country in Ethiopia’s 7th General Election.

The President of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie, cast his vote in Addis Ababa’s Arada Sub-City, Woreda 8, participating in what is widely regarded as a pivotal democratic exercise for the nation.

The Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, Tagesse Chafo, also cast his ballot at a polling station in Arba Minch.

Citizens in the Arba Minch constituency have been voting since polling stations opened at 6:00 a.m., with 227 polling stations serving voters across the constituency.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Federation, Agegnehu Teshager, cast his vote at Polling Station No. 1 in Gondar City, where he is also contesting as a candidate.

The nationwide election is being conducted with more than 54 million registered voters expected to participate in selecting representatives for the federal parliament and regional state councils.

Voting began early Monday morning, with citizens turning out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights.

Voters are selecting candidates from 42 political parties, with more than 10,000 candidates competing for public office across approximately 52,000 polling stations established nationwide.

Election officials, security personnel, observers, and polling staff have been deployed across the country to facilitate what is considered one of Africa’s largest electoral exercises.

Polling stations opened at 6:00 a.m., with long queues forming in many areas as Ethiopians participated in shaping the future direction of their nation through the ballot box.