Ethiopia Finalizes Preparations for 7th General Election
Addis Ababa, The Gulf Observer: Ethiopia has completed extensive preparations for its 7th General Election, with more than 54 million registered voters expected to take part in the nationwide democratic exercise, according to election officials.
A total of 54,057,871 voters have been registered for the election, while 42 political parties are contesting the polls. The election will feature 10,438 candidates representing political parties alongside 80 independent candidates, reflecting broad political participation across the country.
As part of efforts to promote informed voter engagement, political parties conducted 19 debate forums in five different languages using officially allocated airtime. More than 250,000 party representatives have also been deployed by competing political parties to monitor the electoral process and ensure transparency at polling stations.
The election has attracted significant international attention, with both the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) sending observer missions to monitor the vote. The AU has deployed a 59-member election observation team led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, while IGAD has assigned a 26-member observer delegation.
Domestic election monitoring efforts have also been strengthened. Authorities licensed 55 local civic organizations to observe the election, with these groups collectively deploying 1,562 election observers across the country.
Meanwhile, election materials have been successfully distributed to designated locations nationwide. Distribution points include 179 in Oromia, 130 in Amhara, 56 in South Ethiopia, 48 in Dire Dawa, 35 in Central Ethiopia, 33 in Addis Ababa, 32 in Afar, 22 each in Benishangul-Gumuz and South West Ethiopia, 14 in Gambella, and three in Harari.
Election officials stated that the distribution of materials and deployment of observers mark a major milestone in ensuring the smooth conduct of the polls, which are expected to play a significant role in shaping Ethiopia’s political future.
