Introduction

The NEBE was established in 1993 as an independent body for conducting, in an impartial manner, free and fair elections in Federal and State constituencies.

The Board can issue necessary regulations and directives and is responsible for appointing and training electoral officers, providing the public with civic education relating to the elections, confirming results and officially announcing them.

It has the power to rectify electoral irregularities and investigate complaints submitted to it. It may cancel election results and order fresh elections where it finds that there have been violations of directives or fraudulent acts or disturbances of the peace of such magnitude that they would create irregularities in the election process.

The Board also compiles and analyses statistical data and, where necessary, makes recommendations to parliament concerning improvements in the electoral process.

The NEBE is responsible for administering elections at national and state levels, as well as those for Zonal/Special Wereda (District) Councils, Wereda Councils, Kebele (Neighbourhood) Councils and municipal elections, by-elections, recall elections and referenda.

The NEBE’s functions and powers are set out in the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 1994 and the Proclamation to make the Electoral Law of Ethiopia Conform with the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia No. 111/1995, as amended by Proclamation No. 438/2005.

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