Coalition Faults Election Board For Shortcomings In Ensuring Free, Fair Election Conditions

A coalition of opposition political parties has criticized the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) for what they see as failure to establish the conditions required to hold the upcoming national vote.

The coalition, composed of ten opposition parties including Hibir Ethiopia, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party, Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty, and the Oromo Liberation Front, released a statement this week outlining its position on the seventh national elections scheduled for mid-2026.

The signatories said they have been monitoring the Board’s activities and argued that preparations for the vote cannot move forward without “foundational reforms.”

The coalition stated that previous electoral cycles failed to address political divisions and insisted that the next vote requires what it described as clear preconditions.

“A calendar is not democracy,” said the group, adding that an election without enabling conditions is “meaningless.”

The parties presented seven demands they say must be fulfilled before the electoral process begins.

The first is an inclusive political dialogue involving all political actors, including groups in exile and those engaged in armed struggle. The statement demanded an end to ongoing conflicts, emphasizing that “security guarantees ensure free movement for candidates, voters, and observers”.

The coalition also calls for the release of political prisoners and the reopening of closed opposition offices.

“The government must immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners who are still unjustly detained,” reads the statement, which highlights that hundreds of opposition party offices have been illegally closed.

The parties demand neutrality of security structures, stating that a binding agreement is required to ensure non-interference and press freedom.

Beyond issuing the press release, Abraham Himanot (PhD), chairman of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP), expressed skepticism about the upcoming vote.

Speaking to The ReporterAbraham said it is time for the federal government to create conditions for a better national election, recalling that the previous vote became a trigger for conflicts in different regions, including Tigray.

According to Abraham, many opposition parties in Ethiopia fear the government may use the upcoming election to initiate another round of conflict in the country.

He added that achieving sustainable security is essential for holding an election, arguing that both the federal government and armed groups in the country are creating challenges for opposition parties such as the EPRP.

“The ruling party narrows the political space by intimidating us,” he told The Reporter. “The armed group called Fano in the Amhara region and Shene in Oromia also hinder our operations and threaten our existence. They do not accept political parties and attack them.”

Abraham and the other members of the coalition criticize the NEBE over what they describe as a lack of preparation and willingness to carry out its responsibilities.

“They [NEBE] do not have a visible role in their responsibility, and they have never spoken on our behalf when we face difficulties. I do not think the Board has the influence to be heard by the government as an institution,” said the EPRP chair.

Abraham fears that without a strong and independent election board, the next election risks becoming a one-party exercise that will generate grievances among opposition groups.

“If the government fails to conduct a proper, free, and inclusive election, it will lead the country to the edge of disintegration and that will also affect the entire region,” he said.