Ethiopia prepares for tense, long-delayed elections

Ethiopia is preparing for national and regional parliamentary elections on Monday that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said will be the country's first free and fair polls after decades of repressive rule.

But voting has been delayed in 110 out of 547 constituencies because of violent conflicts and logistical problems and some opposition parties are boycotting the elections over what they describe as harassment of their members. One candidate is contesting the election from jail.

Monday's elections will be the first test of voter support for Abiy's government. Abiy said on Twitter this week the polls would be "the nation's first attempt at free and fair elections."

Previous elections were tainted by accusations of vote rigging. In 2015, the ruling coalition and its allies won every parliamentary seat.