The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) on Wednesday disclosed that about 50 million voters are expected to take part in the country’s general election in May next year.
Briefing journalists on, NEBE Chairperson Birtukan Mideksa said the board is preparing detailed operational plans to conduct a fair, free and democratic election.
According to her, adequate preparations are underway to secure quality data that will inform how many observers will be involved in monitoring the exercise.
She added that the board will recruit professionals for regional offices with the standard and criteria set to select the board management members.
Non-member of any political party and a minimum of bachelor of degree in Law, Political Science, Public Administration and related field are among the criteria.
Asked to verify the credibility and authenticity of the coming election, Birtukan said “that is why we are undertaking a wide range of reforms to make the election free, fair, and democratic.”
Moreover, the chairperson pointed out that no influence has so far been imposed upon the board, but stressed that “it will resist any form of influence if it ever comes in the future.”
About 250,000 election executives are expected to be deployed in the next elections and polling stations will be readily available for displaced people.
MG/as/APA