Addis ababa: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Election Observation Mission has released its preliminary report on Ethiopia's 7th General Election, praising the country's electoral administration, technological innovations, and the peaceful participation of millions of voters.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Head of the IGAD Election Observation Mission and former Vice President of Uganda, Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, said the mission deployed 26 short-term observers drawn from IGAD member states, including representatives from election management bodies, women's organizations, and youth groups. The observers monitored the electoral process across seven regional states and city administrations and held consultations with key stakeholders, including the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, political parties, civil society organizations, and women and youth observer groups.
The mission noted that Ethiopia's 7th General Election took place during a period of significant political transformation and ongoing reform efforts aimed at strengthening democratic governance, national dialogue, and peacebuilding. Security challenges prevented elections from being conducted in some areas, including all constituencies in the Tigray region and eight constituencies in the Amhara region. The report highlighted several recent legal and institutional reforms, including the introduction of digital voter verification systems and expanded political inclusion through lowered age requirements.
According to IGAD, 54,057,861 voters were registered for the election. Approximately 5.3 million registered digitally, while more than 45 million completed registration through manual processes. Women accounted for about 46 percent of registered voters, while men represented 54 percent. The election was conducted in 501 of Ethiopia's 547 constituencies through approximately 52,000 polling stations nationwide. A total of 42 political parties, including coalition formations, participated, with more than 10,000 candidates contesting seats in various councils.
The mission commended NEBE for demonstrating strong administrative and operational capacity throughout the electoral process. The Board recruited, trained, and deployed more than 195,000 election officials and operationalized around 52,000 polling stations. IGAD also praised extensive voter education campaigns, stakeholder engagement efforts, and support programs provided to political parties. Key innovations included digital voter and candidate registration systems and GIS-based polling station mapping.
IGAD identified several commendable practices during the electoral process. NEBE's accreditation of 169 civil society organizations to conduct voter education activities was noted, with 114 organizations receiving financial support. The report also praised the transparent allocation of free campaign airtime through a lottery system coordinated by NEBE and the Ethiopian Media Authority. Public ballot lotteries were cited as measures enhancing transparency and stakeholder confidence.
On election day, IGAD deployed 11 observer teams across seven regional states and city administrations, monitoring polling activities at 208 urban, peri-urban, and rural polling stations. The mission reported polling stations generally opened on time, election materials were sufficient, and voting procedures were conducted orderly. Observers noted exceptionally high voter turnout, with long queues forming before polling stations opened.
IGAD reported active participation by women and youth as polling officials, candidates, party agents, observers, and volunteers. Organizations such as the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association monitored women's participation throughout the election process, while youth observers played significant roles in voter guidance and polling station management.
IGAD recommended that NEBE continue expanding and institutionalizing digital electoral systems, strengthen training programs for election officials, and enhance cybersecurity measures. Political parties were urged to strengthen voter outreach and increase women's participation through affirmative action measures. Security agencies were encouraged to maintain professionalism and neutrality.
In its concluding assessment, IGAD described Ethiopia's 7th General Election as a significant milestone in the country's democratic development. The mission commended the Ethiopian people, the government, NEBE, political actors, civil society organizations, and security institutions for their collective efforts in ensuring a generally peaceful and orderly electoral process. IGAD reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ethiopia's democratic journey and congratulated the Ethiopian people for their strong commitment to peace, constitutional order, and democratic progress.