On June 1, more than 57 million Ethiopians are going to the polls in the country’s seventh national election since the adoption of the 1995 constitution. At a time when democratic systems across the world are under strain, Ethiopia’s vote is more than a routine electoral event — it is a significant test of whether a large, diverse, and rapidly changing state can navigate the difficult process of democratic transition.Ethiopia’s electoral system differs from that of many African countries. Voters do not directly elect a president; instead, they choose parliamentary representatives, reflecting a system closer to that of the United Kingdom. In this election, 47 political parties and more than 10,000 candidates are competing for seats at both the federal and regional levels.Recommended Stories list of 1 itemend of listThe government’s performance in key sectors over the past few years is expected to reflect positively on the election outcome. During the past electoral cycle, Ethiopia has recorded strong economic growth, with average annual gross domestic product (GDP) expansion of around 7.5 percent and projections for this year reaching more than 10 percent.These figures are not just abstract statistics. Across major cities, including Addis Ababa, visible urban transformation is under way, reinforced by ambitious infrastructure development and a renewed push in agriculture and industry.Export performance has improved markedly, driven …
