On Monday, millions of people in southern Ethiopia will vote in a referendum to create a new regional state.

This referendum is the third of its kind to be held in the country's south in the last four years.

Sidama and South-Western Ethiopia regions were created following previous elections.

In this election, which will take place in six sub-regional administrative units (zones) and five districts that were formerly a part of the Southern Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities, and People's (SNNP) region, more than three million people have registered to vote.

If approved, the new area will be known as Southern Ethiopia region.