Ethiopia Holds General Election With 50 Million Registered Voters

M. local time on Monday in Ethiopia’s general election, with long queues forming at stations in the capital Addis Ababa before voting began. A heavy military presence was observed in the city as observers called for a peaceful process.

Ethiopians are electing more than 500 members of the House of Representatives, who will later select the prime minister, along with members of local government councils. About 50 million people out of the country’s estimated 130 million population are registered to vote.

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

Results are expected later on Monday. Opposition parties alleged they were prevented from actively campaigning and persuading voters. Ethiopia has faced criticism over reports of human rights abuses targeting government critics and journalists.

Human rights defender Noah Yesuf said the election was illegitimate from the beginning. “The fairness of an election is judged by whether there is a level playing field for the opposition and a conducive environment for citizens to freely participate,” he told The Associated Press. Voter sentiment was mixed.

Senait Dereje, a 37-year-old shopkeeper, said she had registered to vote but was unsure whether her ballot would improve her livelihood. “I know many friends refuse to vote as they have given up on the politicians but I have not and I see it as a referendum like vote on the mixed record of the government,” she told the AP.

Election themes this year include national reconciliation following fighting in regions such as Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara, and a development agenda in which the government has pledged to undertake major projects.

Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous country and hosts the headquarters of the African Union.