Under Ethiopia's constitution, every Ethiopian citizen has the right to vote and run for office without discrimination. This right is outlined in Article 38(1) and detailed in election laws.
Article 38(1) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Constitution grants every Ethiopian citizen the right to participate directly and freely in elections without discrimination based on color, race, gender, nationality, religion, or political opinion. Citizens aged 18 and above who hold Ethiopian citizenship have the right to vote in elections at any government level. Elections must be conducted fairly, based on equality, through secret ballot to freely express voters' will.
The right to vote is reserved for Ethiopian citizens. To be a candidate, one must be an Ethiopian citizen, at least 18 years old on election day, and have resided in the electoral district for the last six months. Those deprived of this right by court decision or due to mental incapacity lack voting eligibility. Voters are required to obtain a voter identification card in advance, though they can vote at polling stations on election day as per the law.
The right to be elected is also limited to Ethiopian citizens. Under Proclamation No. 1394/2017 amending No. 1162/2011, candidates must be at least 21 years old, have resided in the district for one year or be from their birthplace, and not have lost voting rights by law or court order. Independent candidates require endorsements from at least 5,000 eligible voters aged 18 and above in the district. For candidates with physical disabilities, the threshold is at least 3,000 supporters.
Election principles, as per Article 5 of the law, require all elections to be universal, direct, conducted by secret ballot, free from discrimination, with equal weight for each vote, and cast in person.
