Ethiopia Updates
Ethiopia Situation Room Dashboard
A regional election update from E-HORN bringing together CECOE’s voter registration observation findings and the preliminary Election Day observation update for Ethiopia’s Seventh General Election.
Two CECOE Updates in One Situation Room
Select an update below to view a focused dashboard. Each dashboard has its own findings, summary and report download.
Voter Registration Observation Dashboard
View CECOE’s observation findings on Ethiopia’s voter registration process, including centre accessibility, observer access, technology, security and stakeholder participation.
7th General Election Preliminary Observation Dashboard
View CECOE’s preliminary Election Day observation snapshot covering opening, voting, closing, counting, public posting of results and issues requiring attention.
Registration process, accessibility, security and inclusiveness
This dashboard summarizes major findings from CECOE’s observation of Ethiopia’s voter registration process, including legal compliance, accessibility of centres, stakeholder participation, digital registration performance and security concerns.
522
Long-term observers deployed for voter registration observation.
4,396
Total registration centres observed across manual and tablet methods.
3,953
Manual voter registration centres observed by CECOE.
443
Tablet-based registration centres observed during the process.
Observed strengths and gaps in the registration process
CECOE’s registration observation focused on whether the process was legally compliant, accessible, secure, inclusive and transparent.
97% in legally permitted locations
Most observed manual and tablet registration centres were established in legally permitted locations. A small share were found in prohibited locations such as religious sites, security facilities, health centres, bars, party offices and private residences.
Access granted in over 97% of centres
CECOE observers were allowed entry without restriction in nearly all observed centres, strengthening the transparency of the registration process.
Major access barriers reported
Many centres were not accessible to persons with disabilities, elderly registrants, pregnant women and persons with limited mobility.
Technology introduced at scale
Tablet-based registration and Fayda-linked digital verification were used, with most observed tablet centres reporting successful OTP and data-entry processes.
Security forces present at many centres
Security forces were observed outside most manual and tablet centres, though the type and consistency of security deployment varied.
Low party and CSO presence
Political party agents were present in only 14% of observed manual and tablet centres, while other civil society observers were also largely absent.
Key Strengths
- Preparation of a legal framework for digital voter registration.
- Introduction and implementation of technology in registration.
- Over 5.5 million citizens registered through the digital option.
- Over 50.5 million total voters registered, with women making up 46%.
- Most centres were staffed by an average of four election officials.
- Proper identification was required in 87% of observed manual centres.
Areas for Improvement
- Frequent interruptions in the digital registration system.
- Some centres were established in prohibited locations.
- Some cases of registration without identity verification or physical presence.
- Unauthorized persons were found inside some registration centres.
- Many centres were inaccessible to persons with disabilities and limited mobility.
- Incidents of violence, threats and abductions were reported in some areas.
Priority actions for electoral integrity
CECOE’s recommendations focus on strengthening digital systems, enforcing legal requirements, improving accessibility, protecting voters and officials, and increasing stakeholder participation.
To NEBE
Strengthen digital infrastructure, enforce identity verification, monitor centre locations, improve accessibility and train officials.
To Regional Governments
Ensure centres are in legal locations, accessible to persons with disabilities and equipped with shelter.
To Security Forces
Provide adequate protection for officials, voters and observers, with regular police deployed outside centres.
To Parties & CSOs
Deploy agents and observers to strengthen transparency, inclusion and accountability on Election Day.
Download the Voter Registration Observation Report
Access the full CECOE Observation Finding Report on Voter Registration Processes for the Seventh General Elections of Ethiopia.
7th General Election Preliminary Observation Snapshot
CECOE’s preliminary observation report for Ethiopia’s 7th General Election held on 1 June 2026 provides an Election Day snapshot covering polling station opening, voting, closing, vote counting and public posting of results.
3,373
2,506 sitting observers and 867 mobile observers deployed by CECOE.
7,723
Polling stations covered through sitting and mobile observer deployment.
15%
Coverage of Ethiopia’s 51,026 polling stations established by NEBE.
101
Coalition member organizations contributed to observer recruitment.
High participation, largely peaceful process and broad observer coverage
The preliminary report indicates that most observed polling stations complied with key procedural requirements, while also identifying specific issues requiring attention and follow-up.
Priority matters flagged for follow-up
CECOE identified a number of issues from the observed polling stations and incident reports that require further attention by electoral stakeholders.
Download the CECOE Preliminary Observation Report
Access the CECOE Preliminary Observation Report for Ethiopia’s 7th General Election held on 1 June 2026.