No Electoral Irregularities Observed, Says IGAD Election Observation Mission

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Election Observation Mission has reported that it has not observed any irregularities so far in Ethiopia’s 7th General Election, while praising the country’s progress in electoral administration, inclusivity and the application of modern technology.

Head of the IGAD Election Observation Mission and former Vice President of Uganda, Dr. Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe, said the mission’s observers have not witnessed any violations of electoral laws or procedures during their monitoring activities across the country.

“We have not observed any irregularity,” Dr. Kazibwe stated, adding that the mission continues to closely follow developments as voting concludes nationwide.

 

According to her, IGAD observers have been deployed in all regions where the election is being conducted, except Tigray rigion, and remain actively engaged in assessing the electoral process on the ground.

Dr. Kazibwe noted that consultations with the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), civil society organizations, women’s associations, youth groups, and other stakeholders revealed significant progress in Ethiopia’s democratic and electoral development.

She highlighted improvements in voter registration and participation, voter education initiatives, the training of election officials, and efforts to make polling stations more accessible to women, persons with disabilities, older citizens, pregnant women, and other groups requiring special assistance.

“An election cannot be considered democratic unless every eligible citizen is given the opportunity to participate,” she said, emphasizing the importance of inclusive electoral processes that enable all citizens to exercise their right to vote regardless of age, gender, or physical condition.

The IGAD mission head also commended Ethiopia’s growing use of information technology in election management, describing the country as one of the continent’s leaders in integrating modern technological solutions into electoral administration.

 

“Ethiopia is on top with respect to using modern technology,” she said, noting that digital tools have enhanced communication, accelerated information sharing, and enabled timely responses to issues that may arise during the voting process.

Dr. Kazibwe further praised the active involvement of Ethiopian youth, particularly their contributions to developing technological innovations and monitoring mechanisms that support the conduct of elections.

She also pointed to the strong voter turnout observed throughout election day, citing the participation of women, young people, senior citizens, and mothers with children as evidence of broad public engagement in the democratic process.

Drawing on her experience observing elections across Africa, Dr. Kazibwe remarked that Ethiopia continues to demonstrate one of the continent’s highest levels of electoral participation.

Beyond the election itself, she said she has witnessed significant social and economic progress in Ethiopia over the years, describing the country as an increasingly influential actor on the African continent.

“I believe that Ethiopia has truly reasserted its position as the capital of the African continent,” she said.

Voting in Ethiopia’s 7th General Election continued into extended hours on Monday after the National Election Board of Ethiopia announced that all voters who were in line by the official closing time would be allowed to cast their ballots, in accordance with the country’s electoral laws.