More than nine million citizens have registered to vote within the first week of voter registration for Ethiopia’s upcoming general election, signalling strong early participation as the country prepares for a crucial national vote scheduled for June 1.
The announcement was made by the National Election Board of Ethiopia, which said the high number of registrations reflects steady progress in the process since it officially began across the country last week. Election officials indicated that voter registration will continue for a full month, giving millions of additional eligible citizens the opportunity to sign up before the polls.
Speaking to journalists in the capital Addis Ababa, NEBE chairperson Melatwork Hailu said the early turnout demonstrates growing public engagement in the country’s democratic process as preparations intensify for Ethiopia’s seventh general election.
According to the electoral body, the registration process is being conducted through both traditional manual systems and newly introduced digital platforms designed to modernise election administration in the country. The digital system allows citizens and candidates to complete parts of the registration process through mobile and web based applications, part of a broader effort to improve efficiency and transparency in Ethiopia’s electoral framework.
Officials say voter registration is currently taking place at approximately 46,750 polling stations across the country, where election materials have already been distributed to support the ongoing exercise. Authorities have expressed confidence that the logistical arrangements will allow the registration process to proceed smoothly during the remaining weeks before the deadline.
The upcoming election is expected to be highly competitive, with dozens of political parties and independent candidates entering the race. According to the NEBE, a total of 47 political parties have already registered candidates to contest the election.
Altogether, 10,934 candidates are expected to compete for various political positions across the country. Of these, 2,198 candidates will be contesting seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives, which is responsible for national legislative decision making.
An additional 8,736 candidates will compete for seats in regional councils, reflecting the importance of regional governance within Ethiopia’s federal political structure. The electoral body also confirmed that 73 independent candidates have registered to participate in the election, adding further diversity to the political contest.
The general election will take place under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, whose administration has overseen a period of major political transformation as well as significant political challenges in recent years.
Observers say the upcoming vote will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, given Ethiopia’s political significance in the Horn of Africa and its status as one of the continent’s most populous countries.
The introduction of digital voter registration represents one of the most notable changes in the country’s electoral process. Election authorities say the system aims to streamline registration, reduce administrative errors and improve access for citizens across Ethiopia’s vast and diverse regions.
The National Election Board has said the broader goal of the reform is to modernise the electoral system by incorporating technology that can strengthen transparency and efficiency throughout the election process.
As the registration period continues, authorities expect the total number of registered voters to increase substantially in the coming weeks, potentially reaching tens of millions of participants before the June election.
With voter registration underway nationwide and candidates already confirmed, Ethiopia’s electoral preparations are entering a critical phase as the country moves closer to what could become one of the most significant political events in its recent history.
