Ethiopia election: Abiy Ahmed says 'historic turning points' ahead as party wins 438 seats

Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party has kept its grip on parliament after winning 438 seats out of 501 in the House of Representatives, according to final results announced on Sunday by the National Election Board of Ethiopia.

The new parliament is expected to convene in October and reelect Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for another five-year term. The board said the June 1 election was marred by insecurity and a crackdown on dissent, with 143 polling stations failing to open in Oromia and Amhara because of violence and instability.

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Much bustle at the polls, save one corner

Turnout was reported at 94%, with more than 50 million people registered to vote in a country of about 130 million, the election board said.

But the vote again excluded the Tigray region, which has not had federal representation for six years after the war between federal forces and regional groups. Regional observers from bodies such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development helped give the poll international legitimacy, though AP noted they were criticized for remaining mostly in Addis Ababa.

AU mission head and former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta said, “Ours is to call for a peaceful situation as Ethiopians are known for.”

The prime minister looks to the next chapter

On polling day, Abiy cast his vote in Oromia and presented the election as a test of Ethiopia’s political and economic direction. Reuters quoted him as saying, “These next five years will be a period where we see many historic turning points for Ethiopia.”

His party had campaigned on improved food security and claims of strong economic growth, while also facing the backdrop of armed conflict in Oromia and Amhara and continuing tensions in Tigray despite the 2022 peace deal.

The Prosperity Party, formed by Abiy after he took power in 2018, had also won a similar share of seats in 2021.

Dissent casts a long shadow

Opposition parties said the political field remained deeply uneven. There were reported accusations that the federal government had undermined rivals by arresting leaders and placing legal barriers in their path, allegations the government denied.

Most of the ruling party’s opponents were prevented from participating, while prominent critics were imprisoned, in exile, or had disappeared. Those who did contest the vote complained that it was neither free nor fair and said the atmosphere was marked by fear and intimidation.

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FAQs

Q1: Who won Ethiopia’s 2026 national election?

Ans: Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, won 438 of the 501 parliamentary seats.

Q2: Why has Ethiopia’s election outcome drawn criticism?

Ans: Opposition groups and critics say the vote took place amid insecurity, restrictions on rivals, and the exclusion of the Tigray region from the electoral process.