Addis Ababa, May 20, 2026 — The Ethiopian Institute for People’s Diplomacy is a non-governmental civic organization, registered and established in Sweden by Ethiopians from the diaspora community.
In an exclusive interview, the head of the Ethiopian Institute for People’s Diplomacy, Yasin Ahmed, noted that the unprecedented turnout in voter registration reflects a major shift in the level of public engagement and highlights the growing belief of citizens in democratic participation and peaceful political transition through the ballot box.
He explained that the large number of registered voters shows that Ethiopians have moved beyond political apathy and now view elections as the primary mechanism for shaping the country’s future.
Yasin said: “In my assessment, this huge number reflects citizens overcoming a culture of marginalization and their firm belief that the ballot box is the only peaceful means for change and building the future.”
He added that the high rate of voter registration also reflects the success of the National Electoral Board in providing a competitive electoral environment, along with expanding political representation for all segments of society.
He pointed out that these efforts have helped enhance citizens’ trust in the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
He also described the digital reform of the country’s electoral system as an unprecedented qualitative leap in the path of democratic transition and institutional modernization.
He noted that the successful digital registration of over five million voters through the “Merchay” application is a historic achievement for Ethiopia.
Yasin further explained that Ethiopia’s transition to a digital electoral system has enabled the country to move beyond traditional paper-based mechanisms, which were often associated with procedural shortcomings and logistical challenges.
He added that the digital transformation is expected to help reduce operational costs, overcome geographical barriers, and improve the efficiency of election management compared to traditional methods.
He pointed out that the “Merchay” platform and its integrated digital system are likely to encourage broader participation from the youth and other segments of society, by motivating them to play a more active role in national decision-making and shaping the country’s future.
Ethiopia is scheduled to hold its seventh general election next month, a major national event expected to contribute to strengthening institutional stability and expanding opportunities for inclusive popular participation across the country.
