Politics
Local Elections Underway in Tigray Amid Calls for Border Stability
The Reporter · 1 hour ago · Read the Full Story on The Reporter
AI SUMMARY
Woreda- and kebele-level elections are underway in Tigray as the newly formed caretaker administration calls for an immediate end to activities restricting public freedoms in border zones.
- Woreda- and kebele-level elections are underway across the Tigray Regional State to let residents choose local leaders for a six-month term.
- Redai Hailafom, chief executive for political and public organization affairs of the caretaker administration, announced the ongoing votes during a press briefing in Mekelle on October 23, 2026.
- Most woredas in Southern Tigray, excluding Raya Alamata and Alamata town, have completed local elections, while voting continues in Eastern Tigray and is temporarily suspended in two Southeastern Tigray woredas.
- The polls are individual selections based on personal merit rather than political party contests.
- Redai warned that any inappropriate activities or actions constraining public choice in border areas must cease immediately.
- The federally appointed interim caretaker administration was established a week ago under a Council of Ministers regulation following a House of Federation decision.
- The caretaker administration's core mandate is to restore security, rebuild infrastructure, and organize future elections.
- Clashes recently broke out between the Tigray Peace Force and local Raya Zeb militias in border areas following the withdrawal of the self-appointed TPLF administration from towns such as Alamata.
- Past crimes and human rights violations must be resolved exclusively through legal frameworks or formal reconciliation and amnesty.
- The caretaker administration pledged to accelerate efforts to facilitate safe repatriation and reintegration of internally displaced persons.
- Redai praised the Ethiopian National Defence Force for securing relative stability and condemned misinformation campaigns against the military.
- In a separate development, the Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization appealed to international and regional bodies regarding severe droughts, food and medical shortages, and militarization affecting Afar communities along Eritrea's Red Sea coast.
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