Ethiopian Electoral Body Urges Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement for Credible 2026 Election

By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter

Kenya, February 02, 2026 - The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has underscored the crucial role of broad stakeholder collaboration in ensuring that the seventh national election, scheduled for June 1, 2026, is conducted in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner.

Addressing a multi-sector stakeholders’ consultation forum in the capital, NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu said that coordinated engagement by political actors, civil society, regional administrators and security officials will be central to building public confidence in the electoral process.

Bringing together city mayors, regional representatives, political party leaders, civil society organisations and security representatives, the forum provided a platform to review preparatory progress, discuss existing gaps, and identify steps needed to strengthen inclusivity and electoral integrity.

According to Melatwork, practical measures are well underway, including the official announcement of the election timetable and the authorisation of civil society organisations to deliver voter education and awareness training programmes across regions.

She emphasised that the consultations are designed not just to exchange updates but also to assess security dynamics at local levels, a critical factor in safeguarding peaceful polls and protecting voter participation.

The Board is also working to modernise voter and candidate registration systems through new digital platforms, a move aimed at enhancing accuracy, accessibility and transparency ahead of the nationwide vote.

Elections in Ethiopia carry significance beyond political cycles; they influence policy continuity, governance norms and investor confidence.

Credible and peaceful elections are widely viewed by economic analysts as a stabilising factor for domestic markets and foreign investment flows, particularly at a time when Ethiopia is implementing ambitious economic reforms and seeking to attract capital into infrastructure, agriculture and technology sectors.

More from Kenya

Somali Parliamentary Session on Constitutional Amendments Ends Amid Protests

Ethiopia: Africa’s Green Powerhouse, the Pillar of Regional Integration

For businesses, particularly those operating in long-term project sectors such as energy, transport and finance, clarity on the political calendar, and assurance that electoral processes are inclusive and transparent, can reduce policy uncertainty and strengthen planning horizons.

In emerging economies such as Ethiopia’s, electoral credibility often correlates with macroeconomic stability, regulatory predictability and robust governance frameworks, all factors that matter when investors allocate capital across frontier markets.

Civil society groups participating in the NEBE forum also highlighted the importance of community awareness and civic education to ensure that voters across all regions, urban and rural, understand their rights and responsibilities.

Empowered and informed voters, they argued, are essential to fostering trust in institutions and promoting turnout, which in turn enhances the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

The digitalisation of voter and candidate registration systems is another key element of the Board’s preparations. By leveraging technology to streamline registration, NEBE aims to reduce errors and potential disputes related to voter lists, a frequent source of contention in complex multi-party elections.

As Ethiopia approaches its June 2026 polls, the emphasis on multi-stakeholder engagement and targeted capacity-building efforts reflects a broader national effort to strengthen democratic practice and institutional credibility, developments that are likely to resonate with both domestic audiences and international partners watching the Horn of Africa’s largest country navigate the next phase of its political and economic journey.