Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – November 21, 2025 – Heads of Agencies from the Development Partners Group (DPG) convened at the Ministry of Finance for a high-level briefing on the National Election Board of Ethiopia’s (NEBE) preparations for the country’s 7th General Election, scheduled for June 1, 2026. The session reaffirmed partners’ shared commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s democratic aspirations and strengthening the integrity of the electoral process.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance, emphasized the critical role of democratic elections in safeguarding constitutional rights and promoting national stability. She welcomed the strong turnout from development partners, noting that their presence reflects the importance of continued dialogue and partnership. She also underscored the indispensable financial and technical support development partners provide to advance Ethiopia’s governance priorities.

H.E. Melatwork Hailu, Chairperson of NEBE, delivered a comprehensive update on the Board’s preparedness to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. She highlighted NEBE’s ongoing legal, institutional, and technological reforms, designed to enhance transparency, strengthen public trust, and improve electoral service delivery. She also noted the Government of Ethiopia’s strong commitment, including the allocation of more than 10 billion birr to implement the upcoming 7th General Election.

A key milestone announced during the briefing was the introduction of digital voter registration, which will be implemented for the first time in Ethiopia. H.E. Melatwork explained that the selection of digital polling stations will be based on the availability of reliable internet connectivity (3G and above), stable electricity supply, and adequately trained poll workers. Addressing questions regarding cybersecurity and data integrity, she affirmed that NEBE’s in-house software has undergone independent testing and certification to withstand cyber-attacks. She outlined strict data governance protocols designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of voter information.

NEBE also detailed several initiatives aimed at ensuring inclusive participation, including targeted measures to increase engagement from women, youth, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). These efforts will ensure their meaningful participation not only as voters but also as candidates. In addition, the Board is strengthening collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs), accrediting them for civic and voter education as well as election observation. International observers will also be invited, with coordination facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Development partners—including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and UNDP—commended NEBE for its diligence and progress, emphasizing the complexity and scale of organizing elections in Ethiopia’s diverse geographic landscape. They reaffirmed their readiness to continue providing coordinated support to ensure the successful conduct of the 2025 elections.

Looking ahead, NEBE committed to maintaining open communication with development partners and the public, providing regular updates on preparations through media briefings and similar coordination mechanisms.