ByTESFAYE YETAYEHMAY 31, 2026 20:00Periodic elections are a defining feature of democratic governance. In accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, general elections are held every five years to enable citizens to exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives.Ethiopia’s 7th General Election, scheduled for June 1, 2026, marks another important milestone in the country’s democratic and institutional development.The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) – an independent constitutional body mandated to administer elections – has undertaken extensive preparations for the electoral process.According to NEBE, approximately 54 million voters have been registered for the election, representing a significant increase from the 38.9 million voters registered during the previous general election.This increase reflects not only Ethiopia’s demographic growth but also a growing public awareness of democratic participation and civic responsibility.Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attends his last campaign event ahead of Ethiopia's parliamentary and regional elections scheduled for June 21, in Jimma, Ethiopia, June 16, 2021. (credit: Tiksa Negeri/Reuters)The election features 42 political parties and 10,437 candidates competing for seats at the federal and regional levels. To facilitate the process, NEBE has established 52,029 polling stations nationwide.A notable innovation in this electoral cycle is the introduction of the digital voter and candidate registration platform, “Mirichaye” (“My Election”), developed in collaboration with Ethio Telecom.The platform represents an important step toward modernizing electoral administration, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.To promote informed voter participation, NEBE organized 19 nationally televised political debates and allocated media airtime and newspaper space to contesting parties. Such initiatives contribute to strengthening political pluralism and public engagement.Election observation and transparencyThe credibility and integrity of elections are reinforced through robust observation mechanisms. NEBE accredited more than 170 domestic civil society organizations to monitor the electoral process across the country.At the international level, both the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) deployed election observation missions.The AU mission, led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, comprises 73 observers from 37 African countries, while the IGAD mission consists of 26 observers led by a former vice president of Uganda.Their presence underscores regional commitment to democratic governance, electoral transparency, and constitutional order.Electoral coverage and security challengesThe House of Peoples’ Representatives consists of 547 constituencies. Elections are being conducted in 501 constituencies, while polling in 46 constituencies has been deferred due to prevailing security concerns.Of these, 38 constituencies are located in the Tigray Region and eight in the Amhara Region.Despite these challenges, conducting elections in over 91% of constituencies demonstrates the resilience of Ethiopia’s electoral institutions and the government’s commitment to maintaining democratic continuity under complex circumstances. It is expected that elections in the remaining constituencies will be organized once conditions become conducive.Economic reform and development achievementsOver the past several years, Ethiopia has pursued an ambitious reform agenda under the Home-Grown Economic Reform Program. The reforms have focused on macroeconomic stabilization, private-sector development, foreign exchange liberalization, investment attraction, and economic diversification.According to international financial institutions, Ethiopia remains one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. The country recorded average annual GDP growth exceeding 8% over recent years despite global economic disruptions, conflict-related challenges, and climate shocks.Key achievements include:Expansion of agricultural productivity and food security initiatives.Significant progress under the Green Legacy Initiative, through which more than 50 billion tree seedlings have reportedly been planted since its launch.Liberalization of previously restricted sectors, creating new opportunities for foreign direct investment.Expansion of infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing, and digital services.Improvement in foreign exchange management and increased efforts to enhance export competitiveness.These reforms have contributed to maintaining economic resilience and strengthening Ethiopia’s position as one of the largest economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a population exceeding 130 million people and a rapidly growing consumer market.Regional and international engagementEthiopia continues to play a pivotal role in regional, continental, and international affairs.As the diplomatic capital of Africa and host of the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia remains actively engaged in advancing peace, security, economic integration, and sustainable development across the continent.The country has also maintained active engagement within the United Nations system and multilateral climate initiatives.Ethiopia’s successful bid to host the 32nd Conference of the Parties reflects growing international confidence in its diplomatic leadership and commitment to climate action and sustainable development.Ethiopia has also strengthened its bilateral partnerships with a number of countries, including Israel.High-level exchanges between the two countries have intensified in recent years, contributing to enhanced cooperation in agriculture, innovation, technology, trade, investment, water management, and multilateral diplomacy.OutlookThe 7th General Election represents an important chapter in Ethiopia’s ongoing political and democratic evolution. Beyond determining electoral outcomes, the process serves as a reflection of the country’s commitment to constitutional governance, institutional strengthening, and democratic participation.Should the ruling Prosperity Party secure a renewed mandate, the government is expected to continue implementing economic reforms, advancing infrastructure development, promoting investment, and expanding Ethiopia’s regional and international engagement.Equally important will be efforts to deepen national dialogue, strengthen peace and stability, and ensure inclusive development that benefits all Ethiopians.The successful conduct of the election is expected to contribute positively to political stability, investor confidence, economic transformation, and Ethiopia’s standing as an influential actor in Africa and the wider international community.The writer is the Ethiopian ambassador to Israel.Follow us on Google