Nebe Approves Results From 723 Constituencies

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has announced the approval of election results from 723 constituencies following the seventh general election held on June 1, 2026. This significant step in the post-election process comes as the NEBE continues to verify and audit results from the remaining constituencies, which totaled 1,139 across both the House of Peoples' Representatives and Regional Councils. The Board also addressed numerous complaints filed by political parties and independent candidates, resolving a majority while establishing an independent team to investigate outstanding grievances. This development underscores NEBE's crucial role in upholding electoral integrity and advancing Ethiopia's democratic framework amidst ongoing challenges.

Ethiopia's democratic journey reached a pivotal juncture with the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) confirming and approving election results from 723 constituencies of the recently concluded seventh general election. This announcement, made by NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu, marks a significant progression in the complex post-electoral phase, moving the nation closer to finalizing the composition of its federal and regional legislative bodies. The election, held on June 1, 2026, saw voting take place in a total of 1,139 constituencies, comprising 501 for the House of Peoples' Representatives and 638 for Regional Councils.

This development is particularly critical for Ethiopia, a nation committed to constitutional governance and institutional strengthening. The NEBE, as an autonomous federal institution, plays a central role in ensuring impartial electoral processes, from voter registration to result tabulation. The approval of these results, while partial, signals the Board's ongoing efforts to navigate the intricate legal and logistical challenges inherent in a large-scale electoral exercise.

This article will delve into the legal framework underpinning NEBE's authority, examine the procedural aspects of result approval and the mechanisms for dispute resolution, and discuss the broader implications of these approvals for Ethiopia's evolving political landscape. It aims to provide legal professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the current electoral status and the legal avenues for addressing outstanding issues.

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is an independent federal institution established under Article 102 of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Its mandate is to organize, administer, and supervise elections at national, regional, and local levels, ensuring impartiality and adherence to constitutional principles. Significant reforms initiated in 2018 led to the restructuring of NEBE through Proclamation No. 1133/2019, which aimed to reinforce its operational autonomy and enhance its credibility among political parties and the voting public.

The Ethiopian electoral system is primarily governed by the Ethiopian Electoral, Political Parties Registration and Election's Code of Conduct Proclamation No. 1162/2019. This comprehensive legislation repealed and consolidated previous electoral laws, outlining the principles of elections, the registration and conduct of political parties, the role of election observers, and crucial mechanisms for grievance and dispute resolution. Ethiopia operates under a bicameral parliamentary system, with members of the House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR) elected for five-year terms from single-member constituencies based on a first-past-the-post system. Regional council elections are also conducted concurrently, contributing to the complexity of the overall electoral process.

NEBE's powers and duties, as stipulated in Proclamation No. 1133/2019, include the impartial execution of elections and referenda, accreditation of political parties and observers, and the critical function of result tabulation and certification. The Board maintains a centralized administrative structure with branch offices in each federal region and chartered cities to facilitate localized implementation of electoral activities, including voter registration, material distribution, and initial complaint resolution.

The seventh general election in Ethiopia, held on June 1, 2026, involved a substantial logistical undertaking, with over 54 million registered voters participating across 1,139 constituencies. These constituencies were divided into 501 for the House of Peoples' Representatives and 638 for Regional Councils. The recent approval of results from 723 constituencies by the NEBE marks a significant milestone in the post-election verification process. This approval follows a meticulous review, which included addressing various complaints and appeals submitted by political parties and independent candidates.

NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu indicated that the Board investigated 129 complaints and appeals, with decisions reached on the majority of these. The review process involved hearing witnesses, examining documentary and video evidence, and allowing election officials to provide responses. Notably, results from 253 constituencies are still undergoing verification and review, while an additional 120 constituencies remain under audit. Furthermore, 43 complaints are yet to be resolved, for which an independent team of experts has been established to conduct investigations and provide recommendations. In one specific instance, a decision was made to repeat vote counting in a constituency in Halaba.

The Ethiopian electoral legal framework provides for a multi-tiered election dispute resolution (EDR) system. Grievance hearing committees (GHCs) are established at the polling station, constituency, and regional branch levels to adjudicate disputes related to voter registration, polling, and counting. Courts serve as appellate organs in this system. Proclamation No. 1162/2019 plays a crucial role in regulating both administrative and judicial disputes arising during the electoral process. However, challenges persist within this framework, including concerns regarding the absence of a specific procedural law for election disputes and ambiguities concerning the finality of appellate court decisions and jurisdictional clarity, particularly in city administrations like Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa.

The seventh general election was conducted against a backdrop of complex security challenges in various regions, including Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia. These issues led to the deferral of polling in some constituencies, impacting the universality of the election. Concerns were also raised by international observers and human rights organizations regarding the civic space and the environment for human rights defenders, which could influence perceptions of the election's fairness and credibility. The NEBE's continued efforts to transparently address complaints and finalize results are therefore crucial for bolstering public trust and the legitimacy of the electoral outcomes.

The approval of results from 723 constituencies by the National Election Board of Ethiopia represents a critical step towards the finalization of the seventh general election outcomes. For legal practitioners, this development underscores the ongoing importance of a robust and transparent electoral dispute resolution (EDR) system. Attorneys involved in electoral law must remain conversant with the provisions of Proclamation No. 1162/2019 and the established hierarchy of grievance hearing committees and appellate courts. The meticulous documentation of electoral processes and strict adherence to legal procedures by all stakeholders, including political parties and candidates, are paramount, especially given the significant number of complaints filed and the ongoing investigations.

Looking ahead, the resolution of the remaining 43 complaints and the finalization of results for the outstanding constituencies will be key indicators of the election's overall credibility. The transparency with which NEBE handles these final stages, including the findings of the independent expert team, will significantly impact public and international confidence in Ethiopia's democratic institutions. Legal professionals, human rights advocates, and governance experts should continue to monitor the implementation of electoral laws, advocate for greater clarity in procedural aspects of EDR, and support initiatives that strengthen the independence and capacity of electoral oversight bodies. This sustained engagement is vital for fostering a more resilient and trusted electoral landscape in Ethiopia.