Africa-Press. The Ethiopian government has announced the success of the seventh general elections in the country, praising millions of citizens for their participation in what it described as a peaceful and historic democratic exercise.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government communication office noted that Ethiopians responded in large numbers to the call for participation in the elections, contributing to the strengthening of constitutional governance and democratic institutions in the country.
The statement read: “Ethiopians cast their votes, and Ethiopia has won,” describing the elections as further evidence of the Ethiopian people’s commitment to national issues and collective responsibility.
The government indicated that many voters waited for hours to participate, calling the elections one of the most significant displays of civic engagement in the history of Ethiopian elections. More than 10,000 candidates representing dozens of political parties and independents competed for seats in federal and regional legislative bodies.
The government communication office reported that the elections reflect Ethiopia’s determination to build what it termed the Ethiopian democratic system through transparent elections and respect for constitutional order.
The statement also acknowledged challenges and opposition to the electoral process but affirmed its success due to the commitment of citizens and the institutions involved in organizing it. The government expressed gratitude to voters, security forces, election officials, observers, the media, and all stakeholders who contributed to the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia is expected to continue the process of counting and verifying votes before announcing preliminary and final results in the coming days.
The June 1 elections are widely regarded as one of the largest democratic processes in Africa this year, given Ethiopia’s population size, geographical area, and the number of registered voters participating in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) election observation mission reported that it has not observed any violations in the seventh general elections in Ethiopia so far, while also commending the progress made by the country in managing elections, enhancing inclusivity, and employing modern technology.
The head of the IGAD election observation mission and former Deputy President of Uganda, Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, stated that the mission’s observers did not witness any violations of laws or electoral procedures during their monitoring activities across the country.
