Transparency Critical To Ensuring Elections Legitimacy

With about only five months to go before Ethiopia heads to 7th general elections, which are scheduled to be conducted on June 1, 2026, the country stands at a critical democratic crossroads. Elections are not merely technical exercises of casting and counting ballots; they are profound political processes that require public trust, political inclusion, and a minimum threshold of security and freedom. In this backdrop, it is incumbent upon the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) to continually update the public, in clear and unequivocal terms, whether an enabling environment exists to conduct credible elections—after undertaking a credible, inclusive, and transparent assessment of conditions across the country.

The legitimacy of any election rests on the extent to which the environment it is held under is free, fair and democratic. An enabling environment presupposes the existence of conditions where political parties can organize freely, candidates can campaign without fear, voters can access information and polling stations safely, the media can operate independently, and civil society can observe and participate without obstruction. In Ethiopia today, these conditions cannot be assumed; they must be carefully examined and honestly reported. Ongoing armed conflicts, restrictions on political activity in some regions, and persistent allegations of arbitrary detention and intimidation raise serious questions about electoral readiness.

As the constitutionally mandated body responsible for administering elections, NEBE has both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility to assess these realities and communicate its findings to the public. Silence or ambiguity would not be neutral acts; they would risk eroding public confidence and inviting speculation, polarization, and mistrust. Ethiopians deserve to know whether the circumstances allow them to exercise their democratic rights meaningfully, or whether extraordinary measures—including postponement or phased elections—may be necessary to preserve the integrity of the process.

Crucially, such an assessment must be credible. This means it cannot be confined to internal deliberations or selective consultations. NEBE must engage widely with political parties across the spectrum, regional electoral offices, civil society organizations, media institutions, security bodies, traditional and religious leaders, women’s and youth groups, and communities in conflict-affected areas. An assessment that excludes dissenting voices or marginalized regions would be fundamentally flawed and would fail to capture the lived realities of millions of voters.

Transparency is equally essential. The methodology, criteria, and findings of the assessment should be made public. Ethiopians should understand what benchmarks NEBE uses to define an enabling environment, how data is collected, and what risks have been identified. Transparency does not weaken institutions; it strengthens them by inviting scrutiny and building trust. In a deeply polarized political climate, openness is one of the few tools available to counter misinformation and conspiracy narratives that thrive in the absence of credible information.

Informing the public is also a matter of institutional independence. NEBE’s credibility depends on its ability to act—and be seen to act—free from political pressure. Publicly communicating its assessment is essential to enable the Board convey the message that electoral integrity, not political expediency, guides its decisions. This is particularly important in Ethiopia’s context, where past elections have been marred by boycotts, uneven participation, and disputes over fairness. A forthright assessment would signal a break from past practices and demonstrate a commitment to democratic norms.

There are also important preventive benefits to public disclosure. A clear-eyed assessment can serve as an early warning system, identifying gaps that can still be addressed before election day. If certain regions lack security, targeted interventions can be planned. If legal or administrative barriers are restricting political competition, reforms can be prioritized. If trust deficits are identified, confidence-building measures can be undertaken. Concealing or downplaying problems, by contrast, ensures that they will surface later in more destabilizing forms.

Some may argue that publicly acknowledging an insufficient enabling environment could undermine confidence or embolden spoilers. This concern misunderstands the source of legitimacy. Confidence does not come from optimistic declarations detached from reality; it comes from honesty and accountability. Pretending conditions are adequate when they are not would only guarantee that the election’s outcome is contested and its legitimacy questioned. In fragile democracies, flawed elections are often more destabilizing than delayed ones.

International partners and observers are also watching closely. Ethiopia’s electoral process carries implications beyond its borders, influencing diplomatic relations, development cooperation, and regional stability. A transparent assessment by NEBE would not signal weakness; it would demonstrate maturity and responsibility. It would also provide a factual basis for international engagement that respects Ethiopia’s sovereignty while supporting democratic standards.

Ultimately, the question is not whether elections should be held at all costs, but whether they should be held with integrity. NEBE’s duty is not to the electoral calendar alone, but to the Ethiopian people and their constitutional right to genuine political participation. If the Board is to make a meaningful contribution towards ensuring that the 7th general elections, whenever and however they are held, contribute to peace, legitimacy, and democratic renewal rather than deepening division, it has no option but to undertake a credible, inclusive, and transparent assessment and by informing the public of its conclusions.

In a moment of national uncertainty, honesty is not a risk; it is a necessity.