Ethiopia’s National Electoral Board (NEBE) has announced that the country’s seventh general election will be held on June 1, 2026, the first nationwide vote since the devastating Tigray civil war and amid ongoing unrest in Amhara and Oromia regions.

NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu told parliament and media that preparations—including branch office organization, polling station readiness, and political party training—have been completed to ensure “conducive” conditions. She emphasized that the revised Electoral Code integrates technology and aims to boost youth and women’s participation.

The announcement comes as Ethiopia grapples with daunting security hurdles. The 2020–2022 Tigray war killed at least 600,000 and displaced 1 million, according to UN estimates. Insurgencies in Amhara and Oromia continue, affecting roughly 40 percent of Ethiopia’s 130-million population. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in an October address, vowed the polls would be the “best organized in Ethiopia’s history,” insisting the government has the capacity to proceed despite instability.

The election—delayed from 2025 due to war—will test Abiy’s Prosperity Party, which has dominated since 2018. Opposition groups such as the Oromo Liberation Front warn of shrinking political space and exclusion, echoing concerns from the 2021 polls boycotted by Tigray’s TPLF. International observers, including the EU and AU, have flagged impartiality concerns, with recent code amendments criticized for favoring incumbents.

Ethiopia’s vote is pivotal for the Horn of Africa’s stability, with implications for U.S. aid (over $1 billion annually) and regional dynamics involving Eritrea and Somalia. While NEBE insists on inclusivity, observers predict low turnout in conflict zones, raising questions about credibility and legitimacy.