The enactment of Proclamation No. 1394/2025 has introduced several significant modifications to the legal framework governing elections and the registration of political parties in Ethiopia. These amendments focus on administrative restructuring, revised participation requirements for specific demographics, and the integration of digital systems into the electoral cycle.
Administrative Restructuring and Grievance Procedures
The proclamation establishes a revised hierarchy for handling electoral complaints. New Grievance Hearing Committees are mandated at both regional branch and constituency levels. At the constituency level, these committees comprise the Head of the Constituency and two members of the public selected for their neutrality and conduct. Notably, the authority to resolve disputes at the polling station level has been centralized under the head of each station, who is now required to issue formal written decisions prior to the conclusion of the voting process. Additionally, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is now legally required to maintain gender representation during the recruitment and assignment of electoral officials.
Participation Thresholds for Independent Candidates
To facilitate broader representation, the proclamation adjusts the endorsement requirements for independent candidates. Women running as independent candidates must now provide 3,000 signatures, while women with disabilities require 2,000. Further reductions apply to specific legislative bodies; for instance, female candidates for the House of People’s Representatives require 1,500 signatures, dropping to 1,000 for women with disabilities. The Board is also tasked with issuing specific directives to regulate media access for these candidates. Furthermore, the law now permits civil servants to maintain their salaries while on leave during campaign and election periods.
Political Party Regulations and Financial Accountability
The criteria for the establishment and operation of political parties have been tightened. National parties must now ensure that their founding members represent at least six different regions, with a minimum of 10% of total members originating from each region. Regarding financial transparency, parties seeking government support must demonstrate that they have collected membership dues from at least 20% of their registered members. The proclamation explicitly prohibits the use of government or public enterprise payroll systems to facilitate the deduction of membership fees.
The Board’s oversight authority has been expanded to include the power to suspend a political party for up to five years. This penalty may be applied in cases of financial embezzlement, incitement of violence, or the obstruction of competing political entities.
Integration of Technology and Identification Standards
The new legislation authorizes the Board to implement technological solutions for voter and candidate registration, the voting process, and result verification. A significant shift in identification requirements stipulates that a National Identity Card is now mandatory for registering as a candidate, founding or joining a party, and endorsing candidates. In regions where these cards are not yet accessible, the Board is authorized to provide directives for alternative forms of identification.
Post-Employment Restrictions
To maintain the perceived and actual impartiality of the electoral body, the proclamation imposes significant restrictions on former Board members and leadership employees. Former Management Board members are barred from party leadership or membership for five years post-service and cannot run as independent candidates for three years. Similar restrictions of two years apply to Board employees in leadership positions, prohibiting them from transitioning immediately into partisan political roles.