Awareness Campaigns Intensify as Ethiopia’s 7th General Election Nears Voting Day

Addis Ababa, May 22, 2026 —As Ethiopia’s 7th General Election approaches, civil society organizations say they are intensifying nationwide awareness campaigns to help registered voters prepare to cast their ballots.

According to the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) schedule, voters are set to go to the polls on Ginbot 24, 2018 E.C. (June 1, 2026), leaving only a few days until election day.

Civil society actors say the final stretch before voting is now focused on practical voter education, helping citizens understand polling procedures and encouraging informed participation, especially among first-time and young voters.

Voter registration for the election was completed successfully after multiple phases and extensions held between March 7–May 2, 2026.

More than 50.5 million citizens were ultimately registered and issued voter cards through both in-person registration and the digital “Mirchaye” (My Election) platform.

The election will see 47 political parties competing with a total of 10,934 candidates, who have been actively presenting their policy platforms through media campaigns across the country.

Election monitoring and civic engagement efforts have also scaled up significantly.

The NEBE has accredited 55 domestic observer organizations, which have deployed more than 60,277 observers nationwide, while 169 civil society organizations are currently engaged in voter education and awareness activities.

Civil society representatives speaking to the Ethiopian News Agency emphasized that the focus in these final days is ensuring that citizens who already hold voter cards are informed, confident, and ready to participate responsibly.

Community organizations have also stepped-up mobilization efforts.

The President of the Addis Ababa Women’s Association, Enatalem Endale, said the group is working across sub-cities to raise awareness among its more than half a million members, encouraging full participation in the electoral process.

Similarly, Addis Ababa Youth Association President Bereket Birbirsa said efforts are ongoing to mobilize young voters and promote informed choices, noting that the association has also deployed more than 2,200 observers to support the process and strengthen public awareness.

Both organizations stressed that the final days before voting are critical, urging citizens to fulfill their civic responsibility and contribute to a peaceful and credible conclusion of the election process.