Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Joins Millions of Ethiopians to Vote in 7th General Election

Addis Ababa, June 1, 2026 —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has cast his vote in Ethiopia’s 7th General Election in his hometown Beshasha, joining millions of citizens participating in a vote widely seen as a significant moment in the nation’s democratic journey.

The nationwide election is being held with more than 54 million registered voters expected to participate in choosing representatives for the new federal parliament and regional state councils.

The Prime Minister’s participation highlights the importance of civic engagement and the role of the ballot box in shaping the nation’s political future.

Across Ethiopia, voting began this morning as citizens turned out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights. Voters are electing representatives from 42 political parties, with over 10,000 candidates competing for public office across approximately 52,000 polling stations established nationwide.

Election officials, security personnel, observers, and polling staff have been deployed across the country to facilitate what is considered one of Africa’s largest electoral exercises. Polling stations opened at 6:00 with long queues forming early as citizens participated in shaping the direction of their nation.

Beyond its electoral significance, the vote is being closely watched both domestically and internationally, reflecting Ethiopia’s political weight, demographic scale, and regional influence.

Analysts describe the election as a key democratic process that could help define the country’s political and development trajectory in the years ahead.

As Ethiopians continue to cast their ballots, the election stands as a powerful expression of civic participation and national decision-making.