Ethiopia's President Sahle-Work Zewde has promised that the upcoming election will be free and fair.

Ethiopia will hold its election before September next year.

The president said some reforms had been done on the electoral commission to ensure its independence.

President Sahle told a joint parliamentary sitting that the government would ensure peace, stability and security.

The current administration is serving an extended term after the election was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The northern region of Tigray went on to hold its election against advice from the federal government.