Consultations on the planning for the 7th General National Election have commenced.

The National Election Board of Ethiopia recently held a workshop focused on preparing the annual plan for the 2018 budget year and the election plan for the upcoming 7th General Election. The workshop was attended by the Board's management, along with department heads from both central and regional branch offices.

The primary objective of preparing the 7th General Election Plan at this stage is to ensure the elections are conducted within the legally defined electoral timetable. Additionally, the plan will be submitted to the House of People's Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) for approval of the budget necessary for election implementation.

Ms. Melatwork Hailu, Chairperson of the Board, emphasized that the workshop was organized to develop a detailed, measurable, cost-effective, and time-bound budget for the 7th General Election. This will ensure that each electoral activity is adequately supported by a reasonable and realistic budget.

The planning process is aligned with the Board's five-year strategic plan. During the workshop, department heads presented their individual plans, leading to the collection of several valuable improvement ideas from the participants, which will enhance the overall planning.

The Board’s draft plan reflects its institutional capacity to conduct the electoral processes independently. Furthermore, it highlights efforts to incorporate technology in the 7th General Election.

Ms. Melatwork indicated that, with the support of the government, including various stakeholders the election process would strive to be both free and fair, with a particular focus on leveraging technology to streamline voter and candidate registration.

The Board is committed to ensuring inclusivity throughout the election process. Special efforts will be made to ensure active participation from persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, prisoners, and other marginalized groups.

The development of this plan is the result of collaborative efforts from all Board leadership members, working units, and experts, working together to ensure the election is well-prepared and inclusive for all citizens.