Reported by: Ijeoma G. | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has welcomed a joint delegation from the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE) to its headquarters in Abuja. The delegation, led by Mr. Tesfaye Neway, Deputy Chairman of NEBE, is on a one-week working visit focused on promoting credible elections and strengthening democratic institutions across Africa.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, received the Ethiopian team, emphasizing the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in enhancing electoral governance. During the visit, nine technical sessions are scheduled to cover the entire electoral process in Nigeria—from planning and voter registration to stakeholder engagement and election monitoring.
“INEC and NEBE share similar constitutional responsibilities. Over the next week, we will share various aspects of the Nigerian experience in conducting elections, including innovations in technology, inclusivity, and stakeholder engagement,” Prof. Yakubu said. He added that the timing of the visit coincides with ongoing voter registration in the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the February 2026 FCT Area Council Elections, offering the delegation an opportunity to observe real-time voter registration.
The Chairman also acknowledged the German Agency for International Development in Ethiopia for facilitating the visit, assuring the delegation of an interactive and meaningful engagement.
On behalf of NEBE, Mr. Tesfaye Neway highlighted the significance of the exchange in fostering mutual learning and institutional strengthening.
“Our presence here is part of an experience and exposure visit aimed at building strategic partnerships between our institutions. We believe democracy grows stronger when institutions learn from one another. We hope to learn from Nigeria’s innovations in voter registration, electoral technology, civic education, and stakeholder engagement while also sharing the challenges we face, such as electoral violence and misinformation,” he said.
Mr. Abera Hailemariam, Executive Director of CECOE, underscored the importance of collaboration between civil society and electoral bodies, particularly in voter education efforts, noting Nigeria’s experience in conducting education in diverse languages as particularly instructive.
Following group photographs, the INEC and Ethiopian teams commenced the official technical engagements, attended by INEC National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, Technical Aides to the Chairman, and Senior Commission officials.
The visit marks a significant step in promoting cross-border learning and collaboration among electoral institutions in Africa, reinforcing shared commitments to credible, inclusive, and transparent elections.
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