• Ethiopia holds parliamentary elections with PM Abiy Ahmed's party expected to win.
• Voting excluded the northern Tigray region and parts of Amhara due to security issues.
• Concerns raised over the competitiveness of the elections amid political restrictions.
• Results are anticipated by June 11, 2026.
• Abiy's government faces criticism regarding human rights and governance.

Millions of Ethiopians participated in legislative elections expected to further consolidate Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's rule, with his Prosperity Party projected to dominate. These elections take place amid significant unrest, especially in regions like northern Tigray and parts of Amhara, where voting was not held due to "unfavorable conditions" citing ongoing conflicts from a civil war that ended in 2022. Approximately 50 million citizens are registered to vote, a significant turnout that highlights the population's engagement despite prevailing tensions, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The elections were conducted under heightened security, with military presence near polling stations intended to address concerns over violence. Voters expressed optimism, with many turning up early to cast their ballots. However, analysts and opposition groups raised alarms about the electoral process's fairness, noting that many opposition leaders are either in exile or imprisoned, and some candidates are unopposed in their constituencies, leading to concerns of a non-competitive landscape. This atmosphere has led some analysts, including those from Chatham House, to label these elections as potentially "among the least competitive" since Ethiopia's transition to multiparty democracy, according to Africanews.

Abiy Ahmed, who succeeded in winning 96% of parliamentary seats in the 2021 elections, faces significant challenges from ongoing insurgencies, particularly from the Oromo Liberation Army in Oromia and armed groups like Fano in Amhara. These conflicts have not only affected security but also the legitimacy of the government amid accusations of human rights abuses and authoritarian practices. The Prosperity Party's campaign has focused on successes in economic growth and food security, despite the persistent internal conflicts undermining these claims, as both Reuters and Al Jazeera report.

With results expected by June 11, the electoral process is being closely monitored by international observers, and the next phases will contribute significantly to Ethiopia’s complex political landscape. As the nation progresses through these turbulent times, the emphasis continues to be on national reconciliation and democratic reforms, which are paramount for the future governance of Ethiopia, per Africanews.