NEBE holds workshop on the theme “Election and Disability” in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) convened a workshop titled “Election and Disability” on December 25, 2025, to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The 2025 global theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress,” guided the discussion. In her opening remarks, Nesim Ali, members of the management board, emphasized that NEBE has been giving special attention to issues affecting persons with disabilities. She further noted that the ongoing need to improve the Ethiopian Electoral, Political Parties Registration and Election’s Code of Conduct Proclamation No. 1394/2017 is partly aimed at addressing concerns of persons with disabilities in a more comprehensive manner.
Nesim Ali, who stressed that democracy is meaningless without inclusivity, emphasized that NEBE will further strengthen the multi-faceted participation of persons with disabilities in the upcoming 7th General Elections.
During the workshop, discussions were held on the provisions related to persons with disabilities in both Proclamation No. 1162/2011 and its amended version (No. 1394/2017). Participants from various associations of persons with disabilities, the Joint Council of Political Parties, and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission acknowledged the Board's efforts to ensure the political participation of persons with disabilities.
They also expressed their hope that NEBE would fully meet the information needs of persons with disabilities (PwD) and ensure that political parties take responsibility for properly including persons with disabilities in their structures.
Following the opinions and comments from the participants, responses and clarifications were provided by Expertise from the Board’s Gender and Inclusivity Department.
On the closing speech, Fikre Gebrehiwot, member of the management board, reiterated that the Board, in addition to the significant inclusivity efforts it has carried out so far, will continue to focus on persons with disabilities matters.