The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has issued a scathing official statement denouncing a widespread campaign of illegal voter coercion, as the government faces growing accusations of attempting to manufacture a fresh five-year mandate amidst a brutal conflict in the Amhara region. The Board’s intervention comes following a surge in reports that citizens are being threatened with the loss of their livelihoods and access to essential social services if they refuse to register for the upcoming elections.
In its strongly worded press release, the NEBE clarified that voting is a constitutional right—not a mandatory obligation—and expressed grave concern over “illegal acts” being carried out by government officials. The Board highlighted reports of door-to-door harassment and workplace intimidation where citizens were told, “If you do not take a voter card, your salary will be cut.” These tactics, which the Board confirms have no legal basis, are being viewed by critics as a desperate attempt by the ruling Prosperity Party to secure a veneer of legitimacy while large swaths of the country remain in turmoil.
The timing of this forced registration campaign has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights advocates and opposition figures, who point to the devastating situation in the Amhara region. As the government pours resources into a controversial election cycle, the Amhara region continues to be ravaged by a conflict that has destroyed infrastructure, displaced thousands, and left millions in a state of humanitarian emergency. Critics argue that the regime’s focus on “stealing” another five-year term through forced participation is a gross misallocation of state power while it fails to provide basic security or peace to its citizens.
The NEBE has issued a direct warning to all regional governments and the city administrations of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, demanding an immediate halt to these coercive practices. The Board warned that it may be forced to suspend elections in specific polling stations or entire regions if these illegal campaigns continue, stating it will “expose institutions and individuals” responsible for violating the free will of the Ethiopian people.
As the country inches toward a vote, the friction between the Election Board’s mandate for a free process and the government’s push for total control has reached a breaking point. For many, the forced registration is not just a legal violation, but a calculated political maneuver to ignore the reality of the war-torn north and maintain a grip on power at any cost.
