Voter Registration Off To Flying Start Despite Logistical Hurdles, Irregularities

6,400 polling stations remain offline

Officials at the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) report that more than nine million voters have signed up since registration opened a week ago, while thousands of polling stations remain inactive due to security and logistical challenges.

Speaking at a press conference held Friday at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, NEBE Chair Melatwork Hailu disclosed that nearly 6,400 polling stations across the country remain inactive, mainly because of security concerns and delays in the delivery of election materials.

Despite this, election officials say more than nine million voters have registered over the past week, 600,000 of whom registered digitally. The Board has deployed more than 187,000 election officials and administrators to manage voter registration and the election process.

Still, the Board acknowledged several challenges affecting the registration process. These include shortages of vehicles during material distribution, fuel shortages, lack of cooperation from regional administrations, and damage to election materials caused by rain. In one incident in Dallol, election materials were reportedly burned.

The board also reported technical challenges related to the new digital voter registration system, including network interruptions, system update issues, language barriers among voters, and difficulties with voters correctly filling out their full names.

NEBE said it is currently engaging with seven regional states regarding security issues affecting the election process.

In addition, the Board revealed that it had dismissed several election officials after investigations found cases of unethical conduct, absenteeism, and individuals simultaneously serving as both candidates and election officials.

Other incidents involved individuals attempting to photograph voter cards and bribe officials, the chairwoman said.

On political party affairs, NEBE announced that it has transferred funds to 36 political parties, while 23 parties are yet to receive funding. Board officials also said it has established an independent media committee to organize political party debates ahead of the election.

The Chairwoman stated that while the Board has made efforts to begin election preparations in Tigray, the regional interim administration has remained unresponsive.

Earlier this week, Federal High Court judges lifted an injunction they had placed earlier on the Board’s decision to limit elections to federal representation in five constituencies contested between the Amhara and Tigray regions.