House of the Federation

Under the Constitution, the 110-seat House of the Federation (HF) the upper house of Ethiopia’s bicameral system, is composed of representatives of “Nations, Nationalities and Peoples”. Each Nation, Nationality and People is represented by at least one member, with each Nation or Nationality represented by one additional representative per each one million of its population.

Members of the HF are chosen by their respective Regional Councils. Alternatively, the Constitution provides for the Regional Councils to order direct elections to the upper house, but this option has in practice never been exercised and there is no legislation at regional level providing for direct elections of representatives of the HF.

The two federal level houses combine to choose the President of the Federation who is the Head of State. The President has mainly honorary powers and serves a six year term.

Administratively, Ethiopia’s nine states are divided into 70 zones. The zones are comprised of 600 Wereda (Districts), and these are divided into approximately 28,000 communities. The Constitution provides for up to 550 constituencies, although currently there are 547.



Regional Councils

Elections for the Regional Councils of the nine regions and the Addis Ababa city administration, are also conducted under a majoritarian system. However, the constituencies are multi-mandate. The number of seats per constituency is determined by the NEBE based on regional constitutions or laws. Currently they are as follows: Addis constituencies 6 seats; Tigray 4; Afar 11; Amhara 2; Oromia 3; Somali 3; Beshangul/Gumuz 10; SNPP 3. Constituencies in Gambela and Harar have varying numbers of seats.

Previous Elections

1994 Elections to Constituent Assembly
Elections to Ethiopia’s 547-member Constituent Assembly were held in 5 June 1994, and this assembly adopted the Constitution on 8 December 1994.

1995 Federal and Regional Elections
In May and June 1995, the first elections were held for the House of Peoples’ Representatives as well as Regional Councils.

2000 Federal and Regional Elections
On 14 May 2000, the second elections to the HPR and Regional Councils under the Constitution were held.