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Ethiopia: Over 50 Million Head to Polls as PM Abiy Ahmed Seeks New Term
More than 50 million registered voters cast their ballots across Ethiopia on Monday, June 1, as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's ruling party seeks a new five-year term in the country’s seventh general election.
The nationwide democratic exercise will decide the representatives for the 547-member parliament and various regional councils.
To secure the right to form the next government, a political party must settle a majority of at least 274 seats.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) stated that the historic voter turnout includes a significant number of youth and women.
In total, more than 47 political parties and over 10,900 candidates are competing for federal and regional legislative seats.
The ruling Prosperity Party, led by the 49-year-old Prime Minister Abiy who came to power in 2018, remains the main contender. The party currently holds the majority of parliamentary seats from the previous 2021 election.
Challenging the ruling party's dominance are major opposition groups, including the 0s (NaMA) and Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA).
International election observers, including the African Union Election Observation Mission, are actively monitoring the voting process across the country.
Election officials confirmed that results will be tabulated and announced in the coming days following the close of polls.
