Ethiopia 2026 election: Prosperity Party lands big win

Ethiopia held a general election on 1 June 2026, with over 50 million voters registered to choose members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives and regional councils. The ruling Prosperity Party, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, dominated the vote, securing 438 of the 501 seats and a reported 94 % turnout. The National Election Board, chaired by Melatwork Hailu, said the process was conducted with institutional neutrality and in accordance with the law, despite disruptions. Security concerns persisted in Amhara, Oromia and Tigray. In Oromia and Amhara, 143 polling stations remained closed because of clashes involving the Oromo Liberation Army and the Fano militia, and the conflict‑torn Tigray region was excluded from the ballot for a second time, leaving its population without federal representation. Opposition candidates and human‑rights groups described the election as far from free or fair, citing intimidation, arrests and the exclusion of Tigray. International observers from the African Union and the Inter‑governmental Authority on Development were largely confined to Addis Ababa, prompting criticism over their limited coverage. The new parliament is scheduled to convene in October, when it is expected to re‑elect Abiy Ahmed for a second five‑year term. Several opposition figures were barred, detained or forced into exile ahead of the vote. Analysts warned that the exclusion of Tigray and ongoing armed opposition in Oromia and Amhara could trigger renewed conflict. The government projects economic growth of over 10 % in 2026, but observers note that repression and instability risk undermining both stability and development. Abiy, a 2019 Nobel Peace Prize laureate for the Eritrea peace deal, faces increasing scrutiny over an alleged authoritarian drift. On 23 June 2026 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used X to congratulate Abiy Ahmed on the Prosperity Party’s decisive victory, calling the result a milestone for Ethiopia‑India relations.