On April 24, the electoral body decided to add two weeks to the initial term foreseen in the electoral calendar, and on Friday decided to extend it for another seven days, in order to guarantee the greatest possible turnout in the elections.

According to official reports, the health situation caused by Covid-19 and the instability in some regions obstructed the registration work in the country, whose inhabitants total between 112.1 million and more than 116 million, according to recent studies.

After registering 18.4 million voters during the ordinary period, the figure increased to 28.7 million on Tuesday, NEBE reported, which expects some 50 million Ethiopians to go to the polls.

However, Minister of State for International Relations, Redwan Hussien, said on Thursday that the nation is ready to hold sovereign polls, and 34 million voters are already registered, a higher number compared to the previous general elections.

All Ethiopians aged 18 or older, in full possession of their mental faculties, with no legal restrictions and with residence in a district for six months, are eligible to register at the 41,798 active polling stations, the Board said.

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