ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – The National Election Board of Ethiopia on Monday briefed diplomats and representatives of international organizations on preparations for Ethiopia’s 7th General Election, scheduled for 1 June 2026, as authorities seek to project confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the vote.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu said more than 50 million voters have been registered nationwide and that 52,029 polling stations have been established across the country.
The briefing focused on voter registration, election security, participation of women and youth, and the deployment of technology to support the electoral process. Officials also outlined coordination efforts with state institutions aimed at ensuring what the board described as a transparent, peaceful, and credible election.
Melatwork said ballot materials had already been distributed to all polling stations, including special centers designated for internally displaced persons, members of the defense forces, and university students.
“We have been working closely with stakeholders to ensure the election is peaceful, inclusive, and free,” she said.
Opening the session, Berhanu Tsegaye described the upcoming vote as part of Ethiopia’s evolving democratic trajectory.
He said the country’s successive elections were helping lay “a strong foundation” for the development of Ethiopia’s democratic system.
The diplomatic briefing comes as Ethiopia prepares for a closely watched national vote amid broader regional and political pressures in the Horn of Africa. International observers and diplomatic missions have increasingly focused on electoral administration, security arrangements, and political inclusivity as indicators of institutional stability in Africa’s second most populous country.
Participants attending the briefing said the discussions provided greater clarity on the logistical and institutional preparations underway ahead of election day.