Ethiopia Election Results 2026: PM’s Party Secures Another Major Win

ADDIS ABABA — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party won a landslide victory in the legislative elections held June 1, securing nearly 90 percent of parliamentary seats, the National Elections Board announced on Sunday.

The ruling party secured 438 of the 486 contested seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives, according to an AFP tally. More than 40 parties ran against the PP, but most lacked financial backing, and the PP was unopposed in 64 constituencies. The best‑represented opposition party, Ezema, fielded only 293 candidates compared to the PP’s 461.

Abiy, who has led Ethiopia since 2018 and won the Nobel Peace Prize for mending relations with Eritrea, faces growing criticism for authoritarianism in contrast to his early years. Critics say Ethiopia has never held truly free and fair elections, with those in power always winning by wide margins.

Elections were held in 501 of 547 constituencies, with roughly 40 million people voting out of 54 million registered. However, 143 polling stations did not open on election day due to security concerns, and voting was interrupted in several locations in Amhara and Oromia.

Northern Tigray, still recovering from a devastating 2020‑22 conflict that claimed 600,000 lives, did not vote. Growing tensions between local and federal authorities have raised fears of renewed conflict. Polls also did not open in eight constituencies in Amhara, where Fano nationalist militias clashed with federal forces. In Oromia, the Oromo Liberation Army disrupted polls, with at least 11 civilians killed in assaults over several days.

Abiy has overseen fast economic growth, driven by a state‑led construction boom and surging exports like coffee. However, the World Bank says Ethiopia remains dependent on international aid, with 43 percent of the population living in poverty.

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