1. INTRODUCTION
At the invitation of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, deployed an African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to observe the 1 June 2026, 7th General Elections.
The Mission was led by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya, and supported by H.E. Geoffrey Onyeama, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as Deputy Head of Mission.
The Mission comprised a team of 73 Short-Term Observers (STOs), 61 per cent of whom were women. Of the total team, 59 accredited observers were deployed to the field. The observers were drawn from 35 [1] African countries and included election management body officials, representatives of civil society organisations, election experts, governance and human rights practitioners, youth representatives, legal professionals, diplomats, media experts and gender specialists.
The Mission was deployed in accordance with the relevant African Union instruments governing democratic elections, including the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), and the African Union Guidelines for Election Observation Missions.
Prior to the deployment of the STO Mission, the African Union deployed a Pre-Election Assessment Mission (PAM) to Ethiopia from 16–20 March 2026 to assess the state of preparedness for the elections and the broader political, legal and security environment. Building on the findings of the PAM, the AUEOM undertook consultations with a range of electoral stakeholders, including NEBE, government officials, political parties, civil society organisations, development partners and other relevant actors. The Mission also reviewed the legal framework governing the elections and assessed the political, electoral and security environment in the lead-up to the polls.
On election day, the Mission deployed 27 observer teams across eight regions of Ethiopia, namely Addis Ababa, Oromia, Dire Dawa, Sidama, South Ethiopia, Harari, Benishangul-Gumuz and Somali. The Mission observed voting procedures in 495 polling stations across 38 constituencies, covering urban, peri-urban and rural areas. Mission observers assessed the opening, voting, closing and, where possible, counting procedures, in accordance with the African Union’s election observation methodology.
This Preliminary Statement presents the Mission’s assessment of the electoral process up to the time of its issuance. The Mission notes that voting has concluded across the country, including in polling stations where voting hours were extended on election day. While counting and tabulation processes are underway and some results may still be pending, this statement reflects the Mission’s observations and assessment of the electoral process up to this stage.
The Mission further notes that voting did not take place in the Tigray Region and in some parts of the Oromia and Amhara regions due to prevailing security and operational challenges. The Mission notes the commitment of the relevant authorities to conduct elections in these areas once conditions permit. In addition, special voting arrangements for members of the military, security services and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are scheduled for 8 June 2026. The official announcement of final election results is expected on 11 June 2026.
The Mission will continue to follow developments throughout the remainder of the electoral process and will issue a final report containing its comprehensive findings, conclusions and recommendations.
