Polls open in Ethiopia’s election that is widely expected to be won by the ruling party

Polls opened Monday in Ethiopia’s election, where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party is widely expected to secure a majority of the 500 House of Representatives seats. The vote, held in Africa’s second-most populous nation and home to the African Union headquarters, saw long queues form before the 6 a.m. opening in Addis Ababa, with a heavy military presence observed. Over 50 million of Ethiopia’s 130 million people are registered to vote, also electing local government councilors. Results were expected later Monday, though opposition parties have accused the government of suppressing their campaigns and targeting critics. Human rights defender Noah Yesuf called the election illegitimate, citing an uneven playing field for political rivals. Voter turnout varied, with some citizens expressing apathy toward politicians. Senait Dereje, a 37-year-old shopkeeper, said she still voted despite skepticism about change, viewing it as a referendum on the government’s performance. The election follows conflicts in Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara regions and centers on themes of national reconciliation and development projects. Opposition concerns include restrictions on campaigning and reports of human rights abuses against journalists and government critics. The Prosperity Party’s victory would allow Ahmed to retain power, though the election’s legitimacy remains disputed by observers and domestic opponents.