Ethiopian National Election Officials Visit INEC to learn from Nigeria Electoral System

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday hosted officials from Ethiopia to understudy Nigeria’s electoral system and exchange ideas on election management.

The Ethiopian delegation, comprising the National Election Board of Ethiopia, NEBE, and the Coalition of Ethiopian CSOs for Elections, CECOE, will spend one week in Nigeria.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, described the visit as an opportunity for mutual learning and deeper understanding between the two leading African nations.

He noted that Nigeria and Ethiopia, the continent’s most populous countries, are both multi-ethnic and multi-religious, operating federal systems to manage their diversity.

Mr Yakubu said both nations share similar electoral responsibilities, including the conduct of elections, regulation of political parties, voter education, and constituency delimitation.

He added that INEC would hold nine technical sessions for the delegation, covering all aspects of Nigeria’s electoral process and management structure.

The sessions will focus on strategic planning, election monitoring, voter registration technology, stakeholder engagement, and inclusivity for displaced persons.

Mr Yakubu noted that other stakeholders, including the media and Inter-Party Advisory Council, would join selected sessions to enrich the exchange.

He said the timing of the visit coincided with voter registration in the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the February 2026 area council elections.

NEBE Deputy Chairman, Tesfaye Neway, said the visit would strengthen partnership and enhance credible elections and institutional excellence in Africa.

Neway commended INEC for its transparency and technological innovation, describing it as a model for electoral institutions across the continent.

He said Ethiopia aims to learn from Nigeria’s experience in voter registration, civic education, and technology-driven electoral reforms.

Executive Director of CECOE, Mr Abera Hailemariam, stressed the importance of civil society collaboration in advancing voter education and public awareness.

He expressed interest in understanding how Nigeria conducts voter education across its numerous languages and diverse population.

NAN