Africa’s Democracy In Focus As INEC, Ethiopia Chart Path For Electoral Reform

Torkwase Nyiekaa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday hosted a high-level delegation from Ethiopia’s National Election Board (NEBE) and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE) in Abuja for a week-long study visit aimed at strengthening electoral governance and democratic institutions across Africa.

The delegation, led by NEBE Deputy Chairman Mr. Tesfaye Neway, will participate in nine intensive technical sessions covering critical aspects of Nigeria’s electoral process, including strategic planning, voter registration, inclusivity initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and election monitoring.

Welcoming the visitors at the Commission’s headquarters, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, described the visit as “a remarkable platform for mutual learning,” highlighting the significance of hosting both Ethiopia’s election management body and representatives of civil society under CECOE.

“It is my honour to warmly welcome our distinguished guests from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. In previous engagements, we interacted solely with electoral commissions. This time, we are pleased to host a joint mission comprising NEBE and CECOE, representing over 180 civil society organisations keen to study our electoral processes,” Yakubu said.

The INEC chairman noted the shared political and social realities of Nigeria and Ethiopia as multi-ethnic, multi-religious federal states which together account for nearly a quarter of Africa’s population.

“In terms of election administration, both INEC and NEBE share similar constitutional responsibilities, from conducting national and regional elections to regulating political parties, monitoring campaign financing, delimiting constituencies, and carrying out voter education,” he added.

Yakubu explained that the study visit is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s electoral system, with particular emphasis on the application of technology in voter registration, the management of candidate nominations, and strategies to promote inclusive participation.

“To enrich this exchange of ideas, we have also invited civil society groups, media representatives, and members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to join specific sessions,” he said.

The INEC chairman further disclosed that the visit coincides with the ongoing voter registration exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the February 2026 Area Council Elections — offering the delegation an opportunity to observe the process first-hand.

Yakubu commended the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Ethiopia for facilitating the visit and reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with sister institutions across the continent.

“We are confident that this exchange will be mutually beneficial and impactful,” he concluded.

In his remarks, NEBE Deputy Chairman Mr. Tesfaye Neway said the visit is part of a broader initiative to deepen cooperation among African electoral institutions.

“Our mission here is designed to strengthen collaboration and foster shared learning. We firmly believe that democratic institutions become stronger when they learn from each other’s experiences,” he stated.

Also speaking, Mr. Abera Hailemariam, Executive Director of CECOE, emphasised the crucial role of collaboration between civil society organisations and election management bodies in promoting voter education and enhancing public confidence in the democratic process.

The interactive meeting was attended by INEC National Commissioners, the Commission Secretary, technical advisers, senior officials, and members of the INEC Press Corps. It concluded with a group photograph before participants proceeded to the first technical session.