Omanghana
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Former Kenyan President and African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) Head, Uhuru Kenyatta, has held high-level post-election consultations with Melatwork Hailu, Chairperson of Ethiopia’s National Election Board (NEBE), following the country’s 7th General Elections held on June 1, 2026.
The meeting, held in Addis Ababa, focused on the African Union mission’s preliminary assessment of the electoral process, including operational observations, institutional strengths, and recommendations aimed at improving future elections.
The African Union Election Observation Mission was deployed as part of the AU’s broader commitment to promoting democratic governance, electoral integrity, and transparency across member states.
Led by President Kenyatta, the mission consisted of 73 election experts drawn from 37 African countries. Observers were deployed across multiple regions and city administrations to monitor every major stage of the electoral process, including the opening of polling stations, voter participation, ballot counting, and the tabulation of results.
The mission worked alongside other regional observation teams to assess the overall credibility, inclusiveness, and efficiency of the elections.
Speaking during a joint press briefing with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Election Observation Mission, headed by former Ugandan Vice President Dr. Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, President Kenyatta highlighted several positive developments observed during the voting process.
According to the mission’s preliminary findings, Ethiopia’s elections were generally conducted in a peaceful, orderly, and transparent manner. Observers noted strong voter participation in many areas and described the process as a reflection of continued progress in the country’s democratic reforms initiated in 2018.
The mission also commended election officials and stakeholders for their efforts to facilitate a credible electoral environment despite logistical and security challenges in certain regions.
One of the key strengths identified by observers was the National Election Board of Ethiopia’s implementation of a hybrid digital-manual voter registration and verification system.
The African Union delegation noted that the technology-enhanced approach improved voter management procedures while helping to safeguard citizens’ voting rights. The system was viewed as an important step toward strengthening electoral administration and enhancing confidence in the process.
Observers further praised the professionalism demonstrated by election officials at numerous polling stations across the country.
Despite the generally positive assessment, the mission highlighted several areas requiring improvement.
The AUEOM reported that localized security concerns and operational difficulties affected voting in some constituencies, resulting in disruptions and the suspension of polling activities in selected areas.
Observers also identified accessibility challenges and logistical bottlenecks that complicated the voting process for some citizens. These issues, while limited in scope, were considered important areas for reform ahead of future elections.
During the meeting with NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu, President Kenyatta formally presented the mission’s recommendations, which are intended to help improve future electoral exercises.
The proposals focus on addressing localized operational challenges, strengthening voter protection mechanisms, improving accessibility, and enhancing election security planning. The recommendations also seek to reinforce public confidence in electoral institutions and ensure greater inclusiveness in future voting processes.
The African Union emphasized that constructive engagement between election authorities and observation missions remains essential for deepening democratic governance and promoting credible elections across the continent.
As Ethiopia continues its democratic journey, the AU’s observations and recommendations are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen electoral institutions and build trust in future electoral cycles.
Source: Omanghana
