With less than three months to go until the June 1, 2026 election, Ethiopia is entering a critical window. Last week’s televised debate among four political parties—including the ruling party—offered a rare glimpse of discourse, yet the overall campaign remains subdued, leaving citizens wondering whether June 1 will be a genuine vote or a formal confirmation.
In a robust democracy, the final 100 days should build toward a crescendo of debate, scrutiny, and civic engagement. Today, that crescendo is faint. The debate showed that while the ruling party is confident and prepared, opposition voices are struggling to break through — a sign that structural obstacles, not political apathy, are muting the campaign. The transition to a fully digital candidate registration system, while modernizing, has created barriers for parties in regions with poor internet connectivity. Many opposition parties are cautious, assessing the risks of participation against perceived fairness, resulting in limited public activity. Persistent conflict in parts of Amhara, Oromia, and new tensions in Tigray make rallies and street campaigns risky, turning low-key engagement into a survival tactic rather than a political strategy.
To ensure that June 1 is a choice and not a formality, the government must act decisively. State media should allocate structured, guaranteed airtime to all parties, ensuring visibility is not limited by financial resources. Federal neutral observers must guarantee safe spaces in all major regional capitals where opposition parties can campaign without interference. Given delays in the digital registration system, the National Election Board of Ethiopia should allow paper-based submissions as a backup to ensure no legitimate candidate is excluded. Temporary removal of bans on public gatherings and mobile PA systems would allow the sound of democracy to return to Ethiopia’s streets.
Several pressing questions remain. Is an uncontested seat truly “won,” and what does this mean for the credibility of local governance? Can technology replace trust, or does digital modernization need to be paired with visible, fair competition? Will citizens stay home if the campaign remains invisible? And is a peaceful but uncompetitive election better than a messy, contested one, or does silence erode the legitimacy of governance?
With fewer than 100 days remaining, the government faces a test: to make June 1 a genuine election, not a coronation. Silence may be easier to manage, but leadership demands something louder — the informed consent of the governed. Last week’s debate was a start; now Ethiopia must ensure the noise of democracy carries through every ballot box.
