Registration of over 50 M Ethiopian Voters Represents Growing Political Awareness: EIPD President

Addis Ababa, May 20, 2026 — The registration of more than 50.5 million voters for Ethiopia’s upcoming general election represents a historic milestone in the country’s democratic journey and is a clear indication of the growing political awareness among citizens, Ethiopian Institute for Public Diplomacy (EIPD) Head and President, Yassin Ahmed, said.

The Ethiopian Institute for Public Diplomacy (EIPD) is a civic, non-governmental organization registered and established in Sweden by Ethiopians in the diaspora.

In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency, Yassin noted that the unprecedented voter registration turnout reflects a significant shift in public engagement, highlighting citizens’ increasing belief in democratic participation and peaceful political transformation through the ballot box.

According to him, the large number of registered voters demonstrates that Ethiopians have moved beyond disengagement, embracing elections as the primary mechanism for shaping the nation’s future.

“In my assessment, this huge number reflects the citizen’s transcendence of the culture of marginalization and their firm belief that the ballot box is the only peaceful mechanism for change and building the future,” the President said.

The high voter registration rate also reflects the success of the National Board of Election in creating a competitive electoral environment while expanding political representation for all segments of society, he added.

Yasin stated that these efforts have contributed to strengthening public trust in the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.

Moreover, he described the country’s digital electoral reform as an unprecedented qualitative leap in democratic transition and institutional modernization.

The successful digital registration of more than five million voters through the Merchaye application is a landmark achievement for Ethiopia, he noted.

The President further explained that Ethiopia’s transition toward digital electoral system has enabled the country to move beyond paper-based mechanisms that were often associated with procedural inefficiencies and logistical challenges.

Yasin added that the digital transformation is expected to reduce operational costs, overcome geographical barriers, and improve the efficiency of election administration compared to conventional methods.

The Merchaye platform and its integrated digital system are likely to encourage broader participation from the younger generation and other segments of society by motivating them to play a more active role in national decision-making and the country’s future development.

Ethiopia will hold the 7th General Election next month, a key national event that is expected to strengthen institutional stability and expand opportunities for inclusive public participation across the nation.