By Dawan Africa - Reporter
Ethiopia, 17 December 2025 — Ethiopia’s National Election Board has announced the adoption of a three-tier security classification system to determine areas eligible to hold elections, as part of early preparations for the country’s seventh general elections scheduled for 2026.
The Board said the classification system is based on three color codes—green, yellow, and red—and is intended to assess the security readiness of different regions before the start of voter registration.
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Under the system, green-coded areas are deemed suitable for elections, yellow-coded areas may proceed with voting under additional precautionary measures, while red-coded areas are considered ineligible due to ongoing security challenges.
According to the Board, the classification process will begin with comprehensive assessments of security and stability conditions under the three categories, followed by broad consultations with political parties, civil society organizations, regional administrations, city authorities, and relevant security institutions, in line with the Board’s operational guidelines.
The National Election Board said the move is aimed at ensuring the conduct of free, fair, and secure elections, strengthening public confidence in the electoral process, and reinforcing Ethiopia’s democratic trajectory.
