Ethiopia is set to hold its 7th general election on June 1, 2026, with a record 50.5 million-plus voters registered, a 32% increase from the 2021 polls.

Out of a population exceeding 130 million, this surge in registration signals strong public engagement, driven by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia’s (NEBE) digital innovations in voter and candidate registration.

However, concerns linger just days before the polls. Large parts of the country remain affected by violence, raising fears that millions could be disenfranchised.

What’s at stake

Voters will elect 547 members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR), the lower house of Ethiopia’s federal parliament.

The party or coalition securing a majority — at least 274 seats — forms the government and nominates the Prime Minister, who is then formally approved by the HPR.

In addition to national parliamentary seats, elections are also being held for regional state councils across Ethiopia’s federal regions.

These councils wield significant power over local governance, education, health, and resource management under the country’s ethnic federalist system.

The House of the Federation, the upper house, is not directly elected; its 112 members are chosen by regional councils, giving regional results added weight.

The incumbent: Abiy Ahmed and the Prosperity Party

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has been in power since April 2, 2018, and leads the Prosperity Party (PP), which dominates both federal and most regional-level institutions.

The party, formed in 2019 through the merger of several former ruling coalition members, won a landslide victory in 2021 and currently holds a strong majority in the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR).

Abiy’s government touts economic reforms, infrastructure projects, and peace initiatives, framing the upcoming vote as Ethiopia’s most organized election yet.

More than 40 opposition parties are contesting the election, including prominent groups such as the Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA), National Movement of Amhara (NaMA), Enat Party, Freedom and Equality Party, and the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC).

(With input from wires)