Omanghana
Ethiopia’s ruling Abiy Ahmed and his governing Prosperity Party have wrapped up their final large-scale campaign rallies ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for June 1, 2026, with massive events staged across major cities and strong expectations of a dominant electoral outcome.
The closing rallies, held in the final stretch of campaigning, drew tens of thousands of supporters and were most prominently visible in the capital, Addis Ababa, where streets were closed and large crowds filled public squares in support of the ruling party.
In Addis Ababa, authorities secured major road closures as supporters gathered at Meskel Square for the Prosperity Party’s final rally. The event was led by senior city officials, including Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie, who represented the party’s urban leadership during the concluding campaign activities.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed did not attend the capital’s final rally in person. Instead, the campaign messaging emphasized his administration’s focus on infrastructure development, youth engagement programs, and broader economic reform efforts.
While the ruling party staged highly visible and well-attended events, opposition groups have raised concerns about restricted access to comparable public campaigning opportunities. Some opposition actors claim that logistical and administrative barriers have limited their ability to organize rallies on a similar scale.
The largest opposition contender, Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA), is participating in the election but is fielding candidates in only a portion of constituencies.
According to data released by electoral authorities, more than 50 million citizens have registered to vote. The upcoming parliamentary election will determine all 547 seats in the national legislature.
Key figures surrounding the election include:
- Total parliamentary seats: 547
- Uncontested constituencies: 64
- Opposition coverage: EZEMA contesting approximately 60% of seats
- Official results expected: June 11, 2026
The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia is expected to oversee the final vote tabulation and certification process.
The Prosperity Party previously secured an overwhelming majority in the 2021 elections, winning nearly all available seats.
The election is taking place amid ongoing security concerns in several parts of the country. Voting has been canceled in the Tigray Region following the aftermath of the 2020–2022 conflict, during which the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) played a central role.
Meanwhile, instability linked to armed groups in the Amhara Region and security challenges in the Oromia Region continue to raise concerns about voter access and turnout in parts of the country outside major urban centers.
Human rights organizations and opposition figures have raised broader concerns about the electoral environment, citing issues such as restrictions on political activity, the detention of journalists, and allegations of arbitrary arrests.
Despite these challenges, government officials maintain that the electoral process is proceeding as planned and reflects ongoing political and economic reforms across the country ahead of the June 2026 vote.
Source: Omanghana
