Ethiopian women collect ballot papers at a polling station in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 1, 2026. (Photo by Amanuel Sileshi)

African election observers have described Ethiopia’s seventh general election as largely peaceful and orderly, while noting operational and security challenges in some parts of the country. Presenting the African Union’s preliminary assessment in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, former Kenyan president and head of the AU Election Observation Mission Uhuru Kenyatta said the 1 June vote was conducted in a generally transparent and orderly manner. “Overall, the mission observed that voting was conducted in a peaceful, transparent and orderly manner, although operational and accessibility challenges were noted in some polling stations,” Kenyatta told a joint press conference.

According to the AU mission, observers recorded high levels of compliance with voting procedures, including voter identification and ballot verification processes. Kenyatta noted, however, that the election took place against a challenging security backdrop, particularly in parts of the Oromia, Amhara and Tigray regions, where insecurity affected electoral preparations and political activities.

The assessment was echoed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development election observation mission. Mission head Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe described the election as an important milestone in Ethiopia’s democratic development. “The election reflected a collective commitment to stability, constitutionalism and democratic progress,” she said.

Wandira-Kazibwe added that observers witnessed high voter turnout throughout the day, with women and elderly voters dominating morning queues, while youth participation increased later in the day. According to Ethiopia’s National Election Board, more than 54 million voters were registered to participate in the election.

A man casts his ballot for the country's seventh general election at a polling station in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 1, 2026. (Photo by Michael Tewelde)

The IGAD mission noted that voting did not take place in eight constituencies in the Amhara region and 38 constituencies in Tigray because of prevailing conditions. Election authorities have indicated that voting in those areas will be conducted once circumstances permit. Special voting arrangements for members of the military, security personnel and internally displaced persons are expected to take place on 8 June, while final election results are scheduled to be announced on 11 June.

The African Union deployed 73 observers from 35 African countries, while IGAD sent a 27-member mission to monitor the electoral process across eight Ethiopian regions.