Ethiopians Renewing Social Contract Peacefully

Polling stations across Addis Ababa has seen full swing turnout for Ethiopia’s 2021 election. Ethiopians are voting to renew their social contract. Close to 38 million voters were registered, except Tigray, west Oromia, Benishangul, Somali and other areas where 69 election districts are postponed.High government officials and opposition party figures are also seen casting ballots at their respective localities. The election process is going peacefully except minor irregularities such as loss of voters’ registration document, finding of opened up ballots, and some stations opening stations late. Though most stations opened their door at 6am early in the morning, the queues are still very long at mid-day. Voters also complained of staff shortages and poor performances at the stations.

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, is also seen observing polling stations around national theater. He is in Addis as part of AU Election Observation Mission.