Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for Eritrea rapprochement, faces continued criticism over alleged abuses and authoritarian tendencies, despite his early reformist image.

Rights concerns persist under his administration, with critics accusing repression of dissent and media freedoms even as regional tensions remain high.

The National Electoral Board chair emphasized neutrality and adherence to law, even as critics argue the environment was not conducive to free and fair competition.

Observers from the African Union and IGAD provided some international legitimacy but were criticized for a limited footprint, mostly centered in Addis Ababa.

Analysts noted the opposition field was limited, with many candidates constrained, contributing to the ruling party’s landslide victory.

Voter turnout reached 94% as the June 1 parliamentary election drew more than 40 million participants from about 50 million registered voters, despite security issues that kept 143 polling stations closed.

Election day was marked by a crackdown on dissent and ongoing conflicts in Amhara and Oromia, with the Fano and the Oromo Liberation Army contributing to instability and voting disruptions.

The electoral commission reported 143 polling stations closed for security reasons, offering limited detail on the incidents and their locations.

Early indications suggest the Prosperity Party solidified control of the National Assembly, a result that could shape government policy for years to come.

Abiy Ahmed rose to power amid reform hopes in 2018 after protests against the long-ruling coalition, the TPLF-led government.

The Prosperity Party won a dominant majority, securing 438 of 501 seats, with 38 seats from Tigray remaining vacant amid ongoing disputes and conflict.

Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party led the vote, achieving a landslide in the 2026 elections and setting the stage for a new five-year term as parliament convenes.