• Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party wins almost 90% of parliament seats.
• Voting disrupted by violence in regions like Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia.
• Opposition factions struggled with a fragmented candidacy, limiting competition.
• The election process faced continued criticisms regarding fairness and legitimacy.
• Security concerns raised due to ongoing conflicts and human rights issues.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party (PP) achieved a significant victory in the legislative elections held on June 1, with the election commission announcing that the party secured 438 out of 486 contested seats, amounting to approximately 90% of the seats available. The elections were marked by a fragmented opposition, with many parties not fielding candidates in numerous constituencies, which further facilitated the PP's dominance, according to SCMP and Le Monde and Africanews.

Despite a record of electoral success, the elections faced serious logistical challenges. Approximately 143 polling stations did not open due to security concerns, particularly in the conflict-affected regions of Amhara and Oromia. In parts of Northern Tigray, disruptions were attributed to ongoing ethnic conflicts and fears of renewed violence between federal and local authorities, as both sides had increased their military presence along the region's borders. The African Union noted the challenging security environment raised by these conflicts, according to Reuters, SCMP, and Le Monde.

Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party had emerged as the favorite in these elections, riding on a wave of perceived economic growth and political consolidation. However, critics argue that the electoral process lacked credibility, alleging that the government had systematically curtailed opposition activities. Insurgencies in regions like Oromia, where violent clashes between the government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) continued, spotlight ongoing tensions within Ethiopia's multi-ethnic framework. The World Bank also highlighted that despite significant growth, around 43% of the Ethiopian population lives in poverty, suggesting economic challenges beneath the surface political victories, according to Reuters and Africanews.