The African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission and a coalition of international diplomatic missions have released key updates regarding Ethiopia’s 7th general election, held on June 1, 2026. While international partners welcomed the conduct of the polls, the AU mission commended several positive aspects of the process while simultaneously providing targeted recommendations for future electoral improvements.
In its initial assessment, the AU observation team highlighted several successes, including the high level of public participation and the timely distribution of electoral materials. The mission also praised the professionalism demonstrated by security personnel and the active involvement of domestic observers throughout the voting process.
However, the AU group outlined critical areas requiring attention, urging the government to enhance security in conflict-affected zones and boost the participation of women and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) was also advised to reduce polling station congestion, improve accessibility for the elderly and persons with disabilities, and strengthen ballot secrecy.
Furthermore, the AU mission called on political parties to ensure better representation of women, while encouraging civil society and the media to continue fostering a democratic culture. As vote counting progresses, the mission urged all stakeholders to maintain peace, resolve disputes exclusively through legal channels, and announced that a comprehensive report will be released later.
Simultaneously, a joint local statement was issued by the Delegation of the European Union to Ethiopia, alongside EU member states, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland. The diplomatic coalition welcomed the execution of the elections and commended the contributions of the NEBE, election staff, political parties, candidates, and civil society actors.
The international coalition explicitly acknowledged the vital roles played by the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as international observers. Looking forward, the diplomatic missions expressed anticipation for the observers’ final reports and voiced hope that constituencies unable to vote on June 1 will soon be granted the opportunity to cast their ballots.