NEBE holds discussion with CSOs licensed to give voters’ education

NEBE has concluded yesterday, Saturday February 21, its discussion with CSOs licensed to give voters’ education starting from yesterday. In his opening remark, Board Deputy Chairman Wubeshet Ayel said the discussion had two chapters while experts with international experience presented the experience of different countries. Board member Dr. Abera Degefa also presented voters’ education licensing procedure and the basic rule in light of civic organization as stated in code of conduct procedure based on directive number 4/2019/20. Board’s Civic and Voters’ Education Department staff also presented a briefing about a memoir prepared for civic organizations, education instrument and manual evaluation form, code of conduct, and main points to be included in voters’ education. Participants also commented about the briefing, and the Board leadership members Wubeshet Ayal and Abera Degefu responded to the concerns raised.

The COVID-19 protocol/directive and the promotion of the code of conduct were the other agendas of the discussion; and Board’s COVID-19 coordinator gave briefings about the issue. The importance of participatory voters’ education, the expected outcomes of the discussion, and the efforts undertaken by NEBE to make the election participatory were also presented. It was also stressed that CSOs take the responsibility to making the process participatory in terms of gender and persons with disability. At the conclusion of the program, Board member Abera Degefa made a remark and noted that the provision of education should be in line with the code of conduct rules/directives and training manuals. He also said there is a need to demonstrate neutrality and take in to consideration the communities’ specific characteristics, age group, level of education, and the timetable for the education provision.

National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.