Legal amendments to enable 7th national election now in Effect, says NEBE Chairperson

Addis Ababa, July 21, 2025 (FMC) — The Chairperson of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), Melatework Hailu, announced today that the Board has completed the legal groundwork necessary to conduct Ethiopia’s seventh national election, following the recent amendment of the country’s electoral law.

In a media briefing in Addis Ababa, Ms. Melatework said the revision of the Ethiopian Election, Political Parties Registration and Electoral Ethics Amendment Proclamation No. 1394/2025—approved by the House of Peoples’ Representatives last week—was a critical step in the Board’s broader preparations.

“We are moving forward with core reforms to address practical gaps that previously challenged the integrity and inclusiveness of our elections,” the Chairperson said.

She noted that the amended law, six years in the making, revised 26 key provisions. Among them are reforms that enable voters to register if they turn 18 on election day and allow candidates to run if they reach 21 by the same date—addressing age-related eligibility barriers that existed under the former law.

The new provisions also expand the number and deployment flexibility of polling officials and introduce improved mechanisms for handling electoral complaints.

“One of the structural limitations in the past was the shortage of election officers on voting day. The revised law allows more flexible assignment based on the specific needs of polling stations,” she said.

Ms. Melatework also highlighted changes aimed at enhancing inclusion and participation. The revised proclamation reduces the number of support signatures required for women and persons with disabilities to register as candidates—an effort to remove systemic obstacles to their political engagement.

Additionally, the proclamation now grants government employees paid leave, rather than unpaid, when participating in election-related duties.

The Chairperson also highlighted the incorporation of technology into the system, including provisions for digital support in voter and candidate registration and the optional use of national identification cards for voters.

While national ID cards will be mandatory for candidates, voter identification will be guided by procedural flexibility based on situational needs.

“Our goal is to modernize the electoral process while ensuring accessibility and fairness for all participants,” the Chairperson emphasized.

The Board’s public briefing marks a new phase in its preparations, transitioning from legal reform to operational readiness for the next nationwide vote.