Ethiopia heads to polls, but not everyone can vote
Ethiopia is preparing for general elections on 6 June, but security conditions in Tigray and Amhara mean millions of voters cannot reach polling stations. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's party appears to hold a wide advantage. The European Union has deployed an electoral observation mission.
Ethiopia is preparing for general elections on 6 June, but a significant share of the electorate will be unable to cast a ballot. According to a field report by BBC Africa correspondent Kalkidan Yibeltal, ongoing security restrictions in the Tigray region and armed clashes in Amhara may prevent around 5.4 million voters from reaching polling stations. The Ethiopian Electoral Board said a 'subsequent' supplementary vote would be held in affected regions.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party (PP) appears on course to retain its parliamentary majority. The main opposition parties include Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA) and the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC). Yonas Adaye, a political scientist at Addis Ababa University, told the BBC that 'turnout is critical to the legitimacy of this race'.
Davor Ivo Stier, head of the European Union Election Observation Mission, said a preliminary report will be released within 24 hours of polls closing. An African Union observer team has also deployed to the country. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Washington 'underscored respect for democratic processes'. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said Ankara is following the electoral process.
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