The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has declared the 7th General Election a milestone for the nation’s democratic trajectory, attributing the process's legitimacy and overall success to the active commitment of 42 competing political parties and the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.
Addressing the official announcement of the 7th General Election results, NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu credited the success of the electoral process to this collective engagement.
Chairperson Melatwork highlighted the Board’s proactive measures to enrich the political landscape, which included maintaining consistent communication with parties, offering capacity-building training, and, for the first time, hosting policy debates designed to foster a robust exchange of ideas. She commended the parties for their instrumental role in the peaceful mobilization of millions of supporters, which enabled the electorate to cast their votes in an orderly and patient manner.
While acknowledging that the Prosperity Party secured the majority of the vote, the chairperson emphasized that the success of the election was not the achievement of one institution alone but rather a collective milestone shared by all stakeholders.
Regarding the integrity of the process, the chairperson reaffirmed that the board remained strictly independent, making all determinations in accordance with the law. She also highlighted the successful implementation of domestically developed technology for voter and candidate registration, supported by robust logistical operations, according to ENA.
The Chairperson further noted that international observers, including delegations from the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), identified the high level of participation from both political forces and the public as a promising new chapter for Ethiopia’s democratic development.
Finally, she cited reports from the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association and various local civil society organizations, which observed that the election was highly inclusive, allowing women to vote for their preferred candidates across the political spectrum without fear.
