Addis Ababa, May 29, 2026 Political actors described Ethiopia’s seventh general election as free, democratic, and peaceful, noting an improved political environment that allowed broader participation by political parties and citizens.
The chairman of the Joint Council of Political Parties in Addis Ababa, Maru Gayen, said that the expansion of political space allowed parties and citizens to engage more effectively in the electoral process.
Maru emphasized the need for peace, democracy, and stability to prevail throughout the election period. He added that the council conducted awareness campaigns across Addis Ababa to encourage residents to obtain voter cards and participate in the elections.
According to him, political parties also received training aimed at enhancing their involvement in the electoral process. He said the council, in collaboration with the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, supported public awareness programs on election laws and provided platforms for parties to present their political programs.
The chairman of the Joint Council of Political Parties in the Amhara region, Tsefhun Alemneh, stated that the government provided opportunities for competing political parties to share power, describing this step as significant for strengthening democratic governance.
He explained that parties have abandoned their previous adversarial relationships and now cooperate on shared national issues while respecting political differences.
Tsefhun also noted that allocating broadcast time to competing parties enabled them to present alternative policies and strategies, giving citizens broader political choices.
The secretary of the Joint Council of Political Parties in the Oromia region, Tariku Denberu, said that challenges arising during the electoral process are being resolved quickly, and efforts are underway to address obstacles previously seen as threats.
Tariku pointed out that the seventh general election would serve as a milestone in strengthening democratic institutions and dismantling what he described as “backward political cultures.”
Meanwhile, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia praised the success of a historic series of election debates held before the mandatory “silence period” preceding the election scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2026.
The board explained that the debates provided political parties with a platform to present their policies, programs, and visions, helping voters make informed decisions.
The board’s chairperson, Melatwork Hailu, said this initiative enhanced voter awareness and democratic engagement, emphasizing that the debates were inclusive and participatory.
Following the debates, the board officially launched a four-day “silence period,” during which any election campaigning is prohibited under electoral guidelines.
The National Electoral Board clarified that this measure aims to give voters sufficient time to reflect independently before casting their ballots.
Before the election, the board announced that over 50.5 million Ethiopians had registered to vote, describing it as the largest voter registration in the country’s history and one of the largest democratic processes in Africa.
Citizens registered either through the “Mershay” mobile app or in person at polling stations across the country.
According to the board, more than 5.5 million voters used the digital platform, while the remaining voters completed their registration manually.
