Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Sha'aban 6, 1436 AH, May 24, 2015, SPA -- Ethiopians have started voting in national and regional elections, the country's first since the death in 2012 of longtime leader Meles Zenawi, AP reported. More than 38 million voters are eligible to cast ballots in this East African nation of about 90 million people. Hailemariam Desalegn, a former university professor turned politician, has been leading the country since the death of Meles, who built the ruling coalition into a powerful political organization while opposition groups complained of persecution. He is expected to remain in power. -- SPA 10:28 LOCAL TIME 07:28 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w