NEBE Launches Nationwide Voter Registration for Ethiopia’s 7th General Election

Addis Ababa, March 7, 2026 (ENA)—The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has officially begun nationwide voter registration for Ethiopia’s upcoming 7th General Election, marking a decisive step in the country’s electoral calendar.

During a press briefing, NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu announced that all logistical and administrative preparations have been finalized, allowing voter registration to begin as scheduled on February 28, 2026.

 The registration process will run for one month and will be conducted through both digital and manual systems.

According to the Board, 47 political parties have so far registered 10,934 candidates to compete in the election.

 Of these, 2,198 candidates are contesting seats in the House of People’s Representatives, while 8,736 candidates are running for positions in various Regional Councils.

In addition, 73 independent candidates have registered for the race, including 69 men and four women.

As Ethiopia prepares for its seventh general election, the country stands at an important political moment reflecting the ongoing evolution of its democratic process.

The upcoming vote represents more than a routine constitutional exercise; it is widely regarded as a key milestone in efforts to strengthen democratic governance and build public confidence in political institutions.

Scheduled for June 1, 2026, the election comes at a time when expectations for credible and transparent democratic practices are increasing.

With electoral institutions strengthening their independence and operational capacity, the vote is expected to serve as an important measure of Ethiopia’s democratic progress and the resilience of its governance structures.

Political leaders, analysts, and electoral authorities have emphasized that this election carries particular significance as it is being conducted within a more robust institutional framework compared to previous electoral cycles.

The government has also repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring an environment conducive to free, fair, and credible elections.

Meanwhile, political parties have intensified their activities by engaging in debates and presenting their manifestos to voters as the campaign period gains momentum.

A key step in the electoral process is the ongoing voter registration taking place at polling stations across the country.

Field observations conducted by the Ethiopian News Agency in Addis Ketema and Gullele sub-cities of Addis Ababa indicate that essential voter registration materials have already been distributed to electoral wards and polling stations.

The agency also reported that an increasing number of citizens have begun registering.

Citizens are able to register digitally by downloading the “Mirchaye” (My Election) application from the Play Store or App Store.

 For in-person registration, the Board has distributed tablets to election officials at polling stations to facilitate the process.

Digital registration will be prioritized in areas with 3G or higher internet coverage, a system being implemented in coordination with Ethio Telecom.

Regarding candidate statistics, the Chairperson stated that out of the 10,934 total candidates, 2,198 are running for seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives, while 8,736 candidates are contesting positions in Regional Councils. The lists of candidates will be publicly displayed at their respective polling stations.

In addition, 73 independent candidates have registered to participate in the election, including 69 men and four women.

As part of pre-election preparations, the Board has also unveiled the official symbols of competing political parties and confirmed that all parties have signed the Candidates’ Code of Ethics and Conduct, aimed at promoting responsible campaigning and ensuring electoral integrity throughout the election period.