INEC Hosts Ethiopian Delegation for Week-Long Training on Electoral Integrity

INEC Hosts Ethiopian Delegation for Week-Long Training on Electoral Integrity

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria on Monday welcomed a high-level delegation from Ethiopia's National Election Board (NEBE) and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE) to its headquarters in Abuja, kicking off a week-long study visit focused on enhancing electoral capacity and integrity.INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu described the engagement as "extraordinary," marking the first time Nigeria has hosted a joint delegation comprising both an electoral management body and civil society representatives from another African nation. "Today, we are hosting a joint delegation from NEBE and CECOE, representing over 180 civil society organisations keen to understudy our electoral processes," Yakubu said, highlighting the shared challenges of managing multi-ethnic, federal systems in Africa's two most populous countries.The delegation, led by NEBE Deputy Chairman Tesfaye Neway and including CECOE Executive Director Abera Hailemariam, will participate in nine technical sessions covering strategic planning, voter registration, technology deployment, stakeholder engagement, inclusivity for displaced persons, and election monitoring. The visit coincides with ongoing voter registration in the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the February 2026 area council elections, allowing the Ethiopians to observe real-time operations.Neway expressed Ethiopia's keen interest in Nigeria's innovations in voter education across diverse linguistic communities and technology-driven reforms to bolster democratic credibility. Hailemariam emphasized the vital role of civil society in promoting electoral integrity, seeking insights into collaborative voter awareness programs.Supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the initiative indicates growing pan-African cooperation in electoral governance, with Yakubu noting that both nations share responsibilities like regulating political parties, monitoring campaign finance, and accrediting observers. The exchange aims to foster mutual learning, addressing common hurdles in conducting credible elections amid diversity and scale.    

Source: INEC Hosts Ethiopian Delegation for Week-Long Training on Electoral Integrity

 - NigerianEye

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