As the Ethiopian government prepares for general elections scheduled for June 1, 2026, the Amhara Fano National Movement (AFNM) and the Oromo Liberation Front–Oromo Liberation Army (OLF-OLA) have issued joint criticisms dismissing the process as illegitimate. In a statement released on March 24, 2026, the OLF-OLA described the upcoming polls as a 'performance staged for foreign consumption,' claiming that over 70% of the country is currently inaccessible for a meaningful electoral process due to ongoing hostilities. This follows a sweeping warning from the AFNM to media figures, religious leaders, and civic associations, stating that any involvement in the election would be viewed as aligning with the federal government's agenda. Despite the National Election Board's introduction of a security classification system, the armed groups maintain that the persistent war in Amhara and Oromia makes a fair vote impossible.