By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is hosting a week-long study visit by officials of Ethiopia’s National Election Board (NEBE), and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE), to share experiences on election management and democratic governance.
Facilitated by the German Agency for International Development (GIZ), the visit aims to strengthen bilateral collaboration and exchange best practices in electoral processes.
The Ethiopian delegation, led by Tesfaye Niwai, Deputy Chairman of NEBE, and Abera Hailemariam, Executive Director of CECOE, will participate in nine technical sessions covering strategic election planning, voter registration technology, candidate nomination, media and observer accreditation, and inclusivity in elections.
Speaking at the opening session on Monday in Abuja, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu described the visit as “extraordinary,” noting that it was the first time Nigeria would host a joint delegation of Ethiopian election officials and civil society representatives.
“In the past, we only interacted with colleagues from electoral commissions. Today, we are hosting a delegation that includes civil society organisations representing over 180 groups,” Yakubu said.
He pointed out the similarities between Nigeria and Ethiopia, citing their multi-ethnic, multi-religious compositions and federal systems, adding that both nations together account for a quarter of Africa’s population.
Yakubu highlighted the shared responsibilities of both election management bodies, including conducting elections, regulating political parties, monitoring campaign finance, and promoting voter education.
The visit coincides with Nigeria’s ongoing voter registration exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which Yakubu said provides the Ethiopian team a firsthand opportunity to observe the process.
To enhance the learning experience, INEC also invited Nigerian civil society organisations, media practitioners, and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to participate in selected sessions and contribute to discussions.
