The National Election Board of Ethiopia extended the voter registration deadline to April 22, 2026, citing online system disruptions, weak network coverage, and transportation constraints.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia announced the extension in a statement issued April 4. The voter registration period for the 7th national election was initially scheduled to close on April 6, 2026, but the Board said the extension was necessary to compensate for time lost due to technical and logistical challenges encountered during the process.
NEBE planned to rely on online systems for both voter and candidate registration but encountered setbacks during rollout. In areas where voter registration was intended to be conducted using online technology, the Board said additional time was required to address network-related issues, inspect the registration process, and ensure the system's reliability and efficiency.
Candidate registration was concluded on February 23, 2026, but challenges affecting the voter registration process required further adjustments. Constituencies initially assessed as having sufficient network coverage were later found to have inadequate connectivity, forcing officials to shift to manual registration methods in several areas.
Transport-related challenges also contributed to delays, with disruptions affecting the timely delivery of registration materials to various constituencies. NEBE stated that the extended timeline runs until April 22, excluding two public holidays.
Ethiopia has faced recurring logistical hurdles during voter registration drives, particularly in remote areas with limited infrastructure. The technical challenges mirror difficulties encountered in previous national elections, where connectivity issues forced election officials to adapt registration methods mid-process.
