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Fuel Shortages, Network Outages Impose Polls Registration Extension

A dip in enrollment as logistical chain shocks hamper the national ballot

Apr 5 , 2026

The effort by electoral board officials to enroll voters for the upcoming national election has hit a snag. Chaired by Melatwork Hailu, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) blamed a nationwide fuel scarcity and persistent digital failures that have left registration numbers trailing behind the previous cycle.

With participation down and registration equipment stranded by a lack of fuel, Melatwork has been forced to push the deadline for voters registration back by two weeks to April 22, 2026. Initially it was set to close tomorrow, April 6.

​The scarcity of fuel has intensified as the conflict between Iran and Israeli-United States in the Middle East continues to rattle global supply chains, though domestic concerns over availability had been mounting well before the regional tensions flared. ​Melatwork had previously signaled these vulnerabilities during a March 13, media briefing, where she stated that fuel shortages in regional cities were already threatening to undermine election preparations.

The logistical strain has had a visible impact on voters participation. A total of 36,971,981 voters have registered across the country until April 2, a 3.3pc decline compared to the registration totals seen in the previous election cycle.

Officials hope the extension will provide enough of a buffer to overcome the transportation limitations and narrow the gap in voters registration.

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