The Federal High Court of Ethiopia has recently lifted an injunction that previously restricted the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) from carrying out directives regarding five electoral constituencies that are a point of contention between the Amhara and Tigray regional states. This injunction came after the Simeret Party filed a lawsuit challenging the Board's communication of the House of Federation's decision, which aimed to regulate the elections in these disputed areas. The initial ruling hampered the Board's ability to proceed with election preparations in a timely manner.

The House of Federation had declared that the five constituencies should hold elections independently and directly, allowing them to elect representatives for the House of Peoples' Representatives while the territorial disputes between Amhara and Tigray remain unresolved. The decision aims to ensure that there is democratic representation in these disputed areas, although it has sparked significant political tensions between the two regional governments. Despite the restrictions, the NEBE has now received clearance to proceed with the electoral process, which is crucial for maintaining the democratic framework in Ethiopia amidst ongoing regional conflicts.

In a further development, Simeret Party, the plaintiff in this case, announced its decision on March 11, 2026, to withdraw its lawsuit against the Election Board. This withdrawal may indicate a shift in political strategy or a response to evolving regional dynamics, as the situation in Ethiopia remains fluid. The implications of this judicial decision and the upcoming elections could have broader impacts on the governance and stability of the regions in question, particularly in the face of existing tensions between Amhara and Tigray.