Ethiopia: Ethiopia holds 7th general election.

Shotlist Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - June 1, 2026 1. Various of former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, head of African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission, visiting poll station 2. Staff members at polling station 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Uhuru Kenyatta, former Kenyan President; head, AU Election Observation Mission (starting with shot 2/ending with shot 4): "Initial thought is the process has started, and we will continue to monitor during the course of the day to see the flow and then be back at the end of the day. But so far, we can say that the process has started, it is moving, it is flowing, and we hope it continues like that for the rest of the day." 4. Various of voters waiting in line 5. Various of voting in progress 6. Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie casting vote 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Taye Atske Selassie, Ethiopian President (starting with shot 6/partially overlaid with shot 8): "This is one of the steps toward building a very stable and strong Ethiopia. I know we might not fulfill by the standards of other Western countries, but it's one of the steps to the right direction. So, I'm very much excited. I know there are so many detractors out there. There's nothing new about it. It has been the case all over the world. But indeed, this is a day that we show to the world that the ballot is more stronger than the bullet. So, I'm just voting for my community, voting for myself, and voting for my country." SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE 8. Various of voters, voting in progress SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE 9. Voters waiting in line 10. Various of voters casting ballots Storyline Polling stations opened across Ethiopia on Monday morning as millions of voters cast their ballots in the country's seventh general election. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's ruling Prosperity Party is expected to secure a solid victory despite significant unrest across the country. The election is being closely watched by African Union (AU) observers as a test of Ethiopia's democratic process. Led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, the AU Election Observation Mission visited polling stations in the capital Addis Ababa, observing preparations and the opening procedures. "Initial thought is the process has started, and we will continue to monitor during the course of the day to see the flow and then be back at the end of the day. But so far, we can say that the process has started, it is moving, it is flowing, and we hope it continues like that for the rest of the day," said Kenyatta. As polling stations opened, voters lined up to cast their ballots, expressing hopes that the election would bring development and responsive leadership. Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie also cast his vote in Addis Ababa, describing the election as an important step in Ethiopia's national agenda and development. "This is one of the steps toward building a very stable and strong Ethiopia. I know we might not fulfill by the standards of other Western countries, but it's one of the steps to the right direction. So, I'm very much excited. I know there are so many detractors out there. There's nothing new about it. It has been the case all over the world. But indeed, this is a day that we show to the world that the ballot is more stronger than the bullet. So, I'm just voting for my community, voting for myself, and voting for my country," he said. The AU mission is expected to issue its preliminary assessment after voting concludes. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]