NEBE Launches First-Ever Election Debate to Boost Inclusive Political Participation

Brussels: The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), in collaboration with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), has launched its first-ever election debate platform for political parties. The initiative marks a significant milestone in Ethiopia's electoral process ahead of the upcoming seventh general election scheduled for June 1, 2026.According to Ethiopian News Agency, NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu stated that the platform was developed over several months as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening democratic participation and improving the quality of political competition in the country. She noted that the initiative is also designed to help political parties communicate their positions more clearly and effectively within structured time limits.Melatwork added that NEBE has conducted extensive preparatory activities, including training programs and mock debates, to support participating political parties and strengthen their readiness. She further explained that the debate brought together competing political parties, alongside civil society representatives and university students, creating a broader space for civic engagement and democratic dialogue.As the electoral process enters a critical phase, the Ethiopian government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a conducive environment for free, fair, and credible elections. In this context, political parties have already begun presenting their manifestos and engaging in public debates as campaign activities intensify nationwide.A key milestone in the electoral calendar will be the nationwide voter registration exercise, which began on March 6, 2026, across polling stations throughout the country. NEBE reported strong early participation, with millions of citizens registering within the first weeks of the process.The Board further stated that 47 political parties have registered a total of 10,934 candidates for the upcoming election. Of these, 2,198 candidates will compete for seats in the House of People's Representatives, while 8,736 will contest positions in regional councils.NEBE said the initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that Ethiopia's seventh general election is more inclusive, participatory, and transparent than previous electoral cycles.