DPG Heads of Agencies Convene to Advance Ethiopia’s Election Preparedness

The Development Partners Group (DPG) Heads of Agencies (HoA) convened last week at the Ministry of Finance, bringing together senior government officials, ambassadors, and development partners to review Ethiopia’s preparations for its 7^th General Election, scheduled for June 1, 2026. The HoA meeting focused on progress made by the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), key challenges ahead, and opportunities for coordinated support to ensure a credible, inclusive, and peaceful electoral process.

Opening the session, Maryam Salim, DPG Co-Chair, underscored the significance of the coming months, noting that the remaining seven months will be critical for Ethiopia’s democratic trajectory. She emphasized that the country must receive the necessary support to maintain momentum and safeguard democratic progress.

Image: (from left to right) H.E. Melatework Hailu Chairperson of NEBE, Paula Schindeler (DPG Co-Chair), H.E. Semereta Sewasew (State Minister of Finance), and Maryam Salim (DPG Co-Chair) facilitating the meeting and leading the Q&A session

Her Excellency Melatwork Hailu, Chairperson of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), delivered a comprehensive update on the Board’s progress and priorities. She explained that NEBE has mapped 30,000 polling stations, developed voter and candidate registration systems, and trained lead, master, and field trainers to prepare for the election. The election calendar is finalized, and procurement of essential materials is underway. Melatwork highlighted the integration of voter registration with the Fayda Digital ID system, which will strengthen electoral integrity and prevent duplication. Recruitment of 709 constituency officers and training of over 300,000 polling staff are in progress, alongside the launch of a candidate registration platform for political parties and independent candidates. Civic and voter education campaigns are expanding through community radio, local languages, and university student volunteers, with special provisions for internally displaced persons and persons with disabilities to ensure inclusive participation.

Despite these achievements, Melatwork acknowledged persistent challenges, including security concerns, logistical complexities, and the spread of misinformation. Funding gaps remain a pressing issue, with the government allocating ETB 10.5 billion and development partners contributing ETB 631 million to date. “Free, fair, and transparent elections cannot be stopped for lack of budget,” she affirmed. “We will continue to work with partners to close gaps and deliver credible elections.”

Image: H.E. Sofie From-Emmersberger, EU Ambassador speaking at the meeting

Development partners reiterated their commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s democratic process. H.E. Sofie From-Emmersberger, EU Ambassador, stressed that elections are not merely technical exercises but moments for citizens to express their voices. “We stand ready to support Ethiopia in ensuring these elections contribute to stability and trust,” she said. Amanda McLoughlin, Development Director at the British Embassy, emphasized the importance of inclusivity, noting that credible and transparent elections are essential for reinforcing public confidence and reducing risks of instability. Sebastian Lukas Bych, Deputy Head of Mission at the Danish Embassy, reflected on the broader impact of the electoral process, stating that a peaceful and inclusive election will play a crucial role in sustaining Ethiopia’s socio-economic development agenda. “Elections inspire hope and bring people together,” he remarked.

UNDP also reaffirmed its technical support role. Lenka Homolkova, UNDP’s Chief Technical Adviser for Elections, highlighted the complexity of the task ahead. “Elections are not a single-day exercise; they are a multi-year process requiring system planning and resource allocation. Effective coordination is indispensable for success,” she said. UNDP continues to assist NEBE through technology upgrades, gender and social inclusion initiatives, and strategies to counter misinformation.

The meeting concluded with a strong call for enhanced coordination, timely disbursement of funds, and expanded civic education. Participants agreed that sustained collaboration will be essential to ensure Ethiopia’s 7^th General Election strengthens democratic governance and public trust.