Electoral Chief Reports 74pc Turnout, Security Closures, Ballot Irregularities

Jun 2 , 2026.

Melatewerk Hailu, chief of the national electoral board, disclosed an election day defined by three competing realities of high turnout, security-related disruption, and irregularities serious enough to trigger disciplinary action.

According to the Board’s account, security conditions, administrative failures, and alleged misconduct converged in different parts of the country, producing an election day that was neither uniformly successful nor disrupted.

Preliminary data gathered by the Board’s desk experts indicated that no less than 40 million voters across the country but in Tigray Regional State had cast their ballots as of 8:00pm last night. Briefing the media at 1:10am, at the Skylight Hote, on Africa Avenue (Bole Road), Melatwork, early disclosure, if confirmed through formal tabulation, would point to a heavy turnout across the country of 74pc.

However, the Board’s own account also showed that the vote did not unfold evenly. While many regions completed voting on time, the process in Addis Abeba was extended uuntil midnight and beyond to accommodate long queues of citizens still waiting to vote.

Melatewerk confirmed that voters already in line before the closing time were permitted to vote, while no new voters were allowed to join the queues after the extension. However, in many areas voters were seen arriving even after 6:00pm and allowed to vote.

The pressure on the process was not limited to long queues.

The Board's Chief confirmed that 143 polling stations nationwide did not open due to security concerns. Several areas faced specific disruptions that either suspended voting entirely or left the process incomplete.

In Burji, the Board ordered the total closure of a polling station after election officials were caught marking ballots themselves.

“These officials will face legal and disciplinary measures,” Melatwork told the media.

Voting remains suspended in Mekosa because of ongoing security problems. In Bilo Pa, the Board has decided to facilitate voting today, June 2, 2026, since voting could not be completed today. In Kuta Ber, four of 19 polling stations remained closed. In Kerha, the situation remains unchanged because there were no specific security improvements.

Irregularities also surfaced in Addis Abeba, where individuals in civilian clothes were observed interfering with procedures.

“The Board is compiling reports from these stations and will issue formal decisions once all evidence is reviewed,” said Melatwork.

Reports of property damage and accidents at certain polling sites have also reached the Board, which said detailed investigations are underway to confirm the extent of the destruction.

As voting closed in most areas, the transition to counting began in early hours. In places where counting cannot be completed due to late hours or safety concerns, ballot boxes are “to be sealed and secured in a ‘safe place’ and opened for counting the following day.”

The immediate challenge for the Board has shifted from managing queues and security interruptions to safeguarding the integrity of the count.

PUBLISHED ON Jun 02,2026 [ VOL 27 , NO 1362]