Polls open in Ethiopia's election which is widely expected to be won by the ruling party

Описание: (1 Jun 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 1 June 2026
1. Various of voting queue at makeshift polling station
2. Mid of voters standing outside polling station
3. Various of people voting
4. Pan of queue of voters
5. SOUNDBITE (Amharic) Shileshi Wondimu, voter:
"I arrived here at the polling station at 4:00 a.m. We are still waiting in line to vote. For my part, there is a political party that I believe will bring peace to my country, and I came to vote for it. So far, the election process is peaceful.”
6. Various of elderly voters casting their ballots
7. Various of voter on a wheelchair casting his ballot and leaving polling station
8. SOUNDBITE (Amharic) Engidaw Tadesse, voter:
"This is my second time casting a ballot in the election. The party I voted for is one that I believe will bring prosperity and peace to my country. This time, my country needs peace.”
9. Pan of people waiting seated to vote
STORYLINE:
Polls opened Monday in Ethiopia in an election that is widely expected to be won by the ruling party.

A heavy military presence was observed in the capital, Addis Ababa, as observers called for a peaceful election in the country that is Africa's second-most populous and hosts the headquarters of the African Union.

Long queues began forming before the 6 a.m. opening time, with voters eager to cast their ballots and make their voices heard.

Ethiopians are choosing more than 500 members of the House of Representatives, who will subsequently vote to select the prime minister.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party is expected to secure a majority of seats, paving the way for him to retain office for another term.

About 50 million people, out of Ethiopia’s estimated population of 130 million, are registered to vote. Voters are also electing members of local government councils.

Results are expected later on Monday.

Opposition parties have raised concerns over what they describe as a shrinking political space, alleging that they were prevented from actively campaigning and persuading voters.

Ethiopia has also faced criticism over reports of human rights abuses targeting government critics and journalists.

A human rights defender, Noah Yesuf, told The Associated Press the election was illegitimate "from the beginning."

There’s an element of voter apathy due to citizens feeling let down by politicians.

Engidaw Tadesse, a disabled voter from the capital city, was seen riding his wheel chair to the polling station to cast his ballot.

“This is my second time casting a ballot in the election. The party I voted for is one that I believe will bring prosperity and peace to my country. This time, my country needs peace,” Tadesse told the AP.

This year’s election themes include national reconciliation due to the fighting seen in regions such as Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara, and there is also a development theme as the government pledges to undertake major projects.

AP video shot by Amanuel Gebremedhin Birhane and Amanuel Sileshi.

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