The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarchate Head Office Electoral Committee announced that the 6th Patriarchal election would be conducted February 28, 2013.
The Committee Head and Jimma Diocese Archbishop Abune Estifanos said that among all potential candidates, only five would be selected to run for the 6th Patriarchal election. Abune Estifanos added that the winner would be made official at 6 pm the same day.Abune Estifanos further indicated that the 800 voters who participate in the election would be drawn from archbishops, representatives of ancient monasteries and 53 dioceses as well as the faithful, Sunday schools and the clergy.
Delegations from Oriental Orthodox Churches, the World Council of Churches, the elderly, among others, would observe the election.