Reporting as of March 26, 2026, indicates that the escalating conflict between Fano militants and government forces has created an 'atmosphere of fear' that is significantly hindering preparations for the national elections. Residents in zones such as North Shewa and South Gondar report that ongoing battles and the risk of abductions have made it 'unsafe even to walk outside.' While the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) claims over 18 million voters have registered nationwide, local accounts suggest that in conflict-heavy areas of Amhara, registration centers remain largely empty. Human rights observers have noted that the targeting of local officials and teachers by armed groups, combined with federal drone strikes in civilian areas, has decimated public trust in the electoral process, raising concerns that the May vote will be impossible to conduct in large swathes of the country.