Ethiopia Holds Elections; Prime Minister Abiy's Prosperity Party Expected To Win In Landslide

Polls opened Monday across Ethiopia for parliamentary and regional elections, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his ruling Prosperity Party widely expected to secure a decisive victory despite ongoing unrest in parts of the country.

The vote marks Ethiopia’s seventh national election since the fall of the military regime in 1991. More than 50 million people registered to cast ballots, though voting was not held in the northern Tigray region. Election officials cited unfavorable conditions following the region’s two-year civil war and continued political instability.

Melatwork Hailu, head of Ethiopia’s election board, said 143 polling stations remained closed due to security concerns. The election comes as the government continues to face challenges from regional conflicts and ongoing tensions in several parts of the country.