Five strategic goals, one coalition
Our work follows the CECOE Strategic Plan 2023–2027. Each goal below sets out its objectives and the projects through which the Secretariat and our member CSOs deliver them, from voter education and citizen observation to research, capacity building and partnership.
Citizen observers deployed since 2019
Electoral processes observed
Member civil society organizations
Citizens reached by voter education
Goal 1Civic education · Peace · Inclusion
Promote civic and voter education in collaboration with members
We help citizens understand their rights and the electoral process, work with member CSOs to prevent electoral conflict, and open political space for women, youth, persons with disabilities and internally displaced people.
- 1.1Improve skills and knowledge in civic and voter education.
- 1.2Improve knowledge and skill on peace building, dialogue, democracy and conflict early warning.
- 1.3Increase the participation of women, youth, PWD, IDPs and other marginalized groups in elections.
Irish Aid · 2026–2028Objective 1.1 · 1.3
Strengthening Civic Education for Inclusive Democratic Participation
A new two-year project that turns civic education into standing community structures. It runs Niqu Zega debates, a weekly Ye’esua Dimts radio season and four Community Civic Innovation Labs hosted by member CSOs, each anchoring four rural Listeners Groups in South Ethiopia, Sidama, Central Ethiopia and South West Ethiopia.
EU via ECES · 2025–2026Objective 1.1
I Vote Ethiopia 2026
National voter education campaign for the 7th General Election, run in four phases from February to election day on 1 June 2026: TV and radio public service announcements on registration, polling and turnout aired on 13 radio and 6 TV stations, a 12-episode radio show, 35 infographics and TikTok influencer videos designed to include persons with disabilities, women and rural voters.
IRI · 2021Objective 1.1
I-Vote voter education campaign
CECOE’s first nationwide voter information campaign for the 6th General Election, produced with Zeleman Production and aired on national and regional broadcasters and social media.
ECES · 6th and 7th General ElectionsObjective 1.1
Voter education by member CSOs
Twice, CECOE has channelled ECES support to members running their own voter education. For the 6th General Election it coordinated financing for member campaigns in different regions; for the 7th it issued a call for direct cost support to member CSOs working with first-time voters, women and persons with disabilities.
GIZ · 2024–2025Objective 1.1
Civic Education for Better Civic Engagement and Political Participation
Under GIZ’s Support to Good Governance programme, CECOE developed a civic education manual with infographics, trained trainers from member CSOs in Addis Ababa, Adama, Hawassa and Mekelle, and ran radio spots and the Niqu Zega social media campaign.
AFD · CSIF II · 2025–2028Objective 1.1 · 1.2
Biqu Zega civic e-learning and hubs
With consortium partners Ethiopian Women Rights Advocates and Bright Future, CECOE runs a free civic e-learning platform and regional Biqu Zega hubs with a Civic Café, interns and an Innovate for Democracy idea marathon that funds civic projects.
EU with NIMD · 2023–2025Objective 1.3
Balancing the Scales: women’s political participation
A three-year project to open politics to women. CECOE trained civic actors and women in lower government across the regions, launched the Ye’esua Dimts (Her Voice) weekly radio programme in December 2023, compiled the Araya encyclopedia of Ethiopian women role models, ran Women’s Month campaigns and led a study mission to Kenya.
FCDO · 2026–2027Objective 1.2
Electoral early warning and post-election peacebuilding
Civil society support to NEBE’s Electoral Early Warning Reporting System: monitors from member CSOs reported incidents to NEBE around election day, and member-led sub-grants now address post-election grievances, misinformation and hate speech in hotspot areas.
AFD · CSIF II · 2025–2028Objective 1.2
Inter-Regional Peacebuilding Initiative
Biqu Zega hubs link CSOs across conflict-affected regions in three clusters (Afar–Amhara–Tigray, Somali–Oromia–Afar and Benishangul-Gumuz–Amhara–Oromia) to design joint peacebuilding projects, supported by training and sub-grants.
NDI · Irish Aid · 2022–2023Objective 1.2
Peacebuilding, conflict mitigation and national dialogue
Peacebuilding training of trainers and workshops with members in Dire Dawa, Adama, Bahir Dar and Hawassa, followed by community workshops with elders, youth and religious leaders in Konso, Gedeo, Jigjiga, Semera, West Guji and Benishangul-Gumuz, and engagement in the National Dialogue agenda process.
Goal 2Citizen observation
Enhance free, fair and transparent elections across the electoral cycle and referenda
Through our members we recruit, train and deploy non-partisan citizen observers, run a data centre and situation room, monitor the media and publish evidence-based findings before, on and after election day.
- 2.1Improve knowledge and skill in election monitoring and observation.
- 2.2Reduce election malpractices throughout the election cycle.
- 2.3Decrease media-related malpractices during the election cycle.
Observation missions since 2019
Every major electoral process since 2019
Observers deployed per mission
- 2019Sidama referendumFirst CSO invited by NEBE to observe a referendum · Report →210
- 20216th General ElectionJune and September polls, incl. an IDP camp · Report →3,444
- 2021South West Ethiopia referendumObserved alongside the September polls143
- 2023South Ethiopia referendum and Wolaita rerunSix zones and five special woredas · Report →755
- 2024Outstanding and re-electionsBenishangul-Gumuz, Afar, Somali and Central Ethiopia · Report →90
- 20267th General ElectionElection-day observers in all regions except Tigray · Report →3,477
EU via ECES · France · Ireland · 2025–2026Objective 2.1 · 2.2
Citizen observation of the 7th General Election
Our largest mission to date, using proportional deployment across the full cycle: long-term observers covered voter registration and the campaign, election-day observers reported in real time by SMS, and findings were published from registration to the final report.
Election day · 1 June 2026Objective 2.1 · 2.2
Real-time reporting and public statements
From 5:30 am observers sent coded SMS reports to CECOE’s data centre. A midday statement presented by the Board Chair found observers could work without restriction in 99% of polling stations, while flagging ballot boxes sealed without being shown empty, unstamped ballots and polling stations set up inside health facilities.
EU via ECES · 2025–2026Objective 2.1
Observer training cascade and data centre
A four-tier cascade from regional focal persons to zonal coordinators and trainers prepared observers in Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Somali, managed on CECOE’s Digital Election Observation Workspace. A nine-day situation room received and verified every report.
Embassy of France via CFEE · 2025–2026Objective 2.1 · 2.3
Observation, stakeholder and media engagement
Long-term and mobile observers in Amhara, awareness workshops for regulators, CSOs and political parties, an Election Reporting Manual and media training with a CECOE Media Desk, and findings dissemination workshops in Adama, Hawassa and Addis Ababa.
Irish Aid · 2025–2026Objective 2.1 · 2.2
Credibility, transparency and inclusiveness of the 7th General Election
Supported observer deployment, press statements and the situation room through election day, then a two-day lessons-learned workshop in Bishoftu in August 2026 to document the mission for the next electoral cycle.
2021 and 2026Objective 2.3
Media Monitoring Unit
A specialist team tracks airtime, balance, hate speech and misinformation in election coverage. In 2021 it followed seven outlets in six languages and the social media of political parties and CSOs; it monitored the media again for the 7th General Election, measuring party airtime in news and debates and the share of women’s voices month by month from February 2026.
NDI · France · Ireland · Denmark · ECES · 2021Objective 2.1
Comprehensive citizen observation of the 6th General Election
CECOE’s first nationwide mission covered voter registration, both polling days and the post-election period, piloted observation in an IDP camp in Somali Region, and observed the South West Ethiopia referendum on the same day.
Irish Aid · NDI · 2024Objective 2.2
Outstanding and re-elections, June 2024
Observers in Benishangul-Gumuz, Afar, Somali and Central Ethiopia documented irregularities, which CECOE reported to NEBE for action.
NEBE invitation · 2019–2023Objective 2.1
Referendum observation
CECOE has observed statehood referendums since its founding: Sidama in November 2019, South West Ethiopia in September 2021 and South Ethiopia in February 2023, followed by the Wolaita rerun in June 2023, deploying stationary and mobile observers across six zones and five special woredas.
Goal 3Research and advocacy
Improve the electoral legal framework through research and advocacy
We turn observation evidence into research, policy briefs and dialogue, and work with NEBE, parliament, political parties and civil society to reform Ethiopia’s electoral laws and practice.
- 3.1Increase advocacy research to influence policy makers on election-related issues.
- 3.2Engage and collaborate with NEBE and other stakeholders on electoral issues.
Since 2021Objective 3.1
Electoral reform research programme
Studies drawn from our observation findings, including Ethiopia’s electoral system and parliamentary representation, the special voting scheme, NEBE’s observer accreditation directive, CSO voter education and the electoral grievance hearing mechanism.
Irish Aid · 2024–2025Objective 3.1 · 3.2
Constituency delimitation and vote-to-seat assessment
An assessment of how parliamentary seats are allocated, validated in May 2025 with the Ethiopian Statistics Service, NEBE, the Human Rights Commission, the Political Parties Joint Council and minority rights groups, and published as a policy brief in Amharic and English.
Irish Aid · 2026–2028Objective 3.1 · 3.2
Evidence-based electoral reform advocacy
An Electoral Reform Technical Reference Group will steer research and advocacy on inclusive voting access, party registration, polling station allocation, constituency delimitation and the electoral outcomes of the National Dialogue, with reform text submitted to the institutions that can act on it.
NDI · 2022Objective 3.2
Post-election reform dialogues
Findings workshops with members in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Hawassa and Adama and public dialogues with NEBE, parties, academics and media on the electoral system, boundaries, voter registration, grievance hearing, special voting and party finance.
EU with NIMD · 2023–2025Objective 3.1
Gender research and quota debates
A synthesis report on barriers to women’s political participation, a gender analysis of the 6th General Election, two media monitoring reports on how Ethiopian news and entertainment portray women (August 2023 to November 2024) and moderated public debates on electoral gender quotas.
Embassy of France via CFEE · 2026Objective 3.2
Findings dissemination to parties, CSOs and media
October 2026 workshops in Adama, Hawassa and Addis Ababa present the 7th General Election findings and recommendations to political parties, government bodies, CSOs and 60 media representatives.
Goal 4Institutional strength
Strengthen CECOE and member CSOs’ capacity for effective delivery of its missions
A coalition is only as strong as its members. We invest in CECOE’s own systems, in regional structures that bring the Secretariat closer to members, and in the skills and funding members need to run their own projects.
- 4.1Improve the institutional capacity of CECOE.
- 4.2Increase the technical and institutional capacity of member CSOs.
- 4.3Strengthen and sustain the CECOE, Board and member CSOs relationship.
- 4.4Increase jointly run projects with member CSOs.
NDI · Irish Aid · 2021–2025Objective 4.1
Building CECOE’s institutional systems
From a two-person secretariat in 2020, CECOE has put in place HR, finance and procurement manuals, a salary scale, the Strategic Plan 2023–2027, an M&E system, a Board-approved sub-granting manual, a database of member organizations and digital tools for observer and member management.
2022–2023Objective 4.1
A strategic plan built with members
The Strategic Plan 2023–2027 replaced the first plan (2020–2022). It was shaped by consultation workshops with members in Addis Ababa, Hawassa and Bahir Dar and validated on 8 November 2022 by more than 40 member organizations and stakeholders, then approved by the General Assembly.
Irish Aid · EU via ECES · 2023–2026Objective 4.3
Regional Focal Organizations
Member CSOs coordinate CECOE’s work in their regions, including ACSOT in Tigray, SONSAC in Somali, RLDO in Sidama, the South Ethiopia Teachers Association and the Dire Dawa Civil Society Network. In 2025 an open call to members, scored on role, coverage and election experience, added 12 more, so every region now has a focal organization.
Member scholarshipsObjective 4.2
Master of Electoral Policy and Administration (MEPA)
Scholarships that let staff of member CSOs earn a specialised master’s degree in electoral policy and administration.
ECES · FCDO · AFD · Irish AidObjective 4.4
Sub-grants and joint projects with members
Using its sub-granting manual, CECOE channels funding to members for voter education, peacebuilding and civic innovation, with orientation on grant management, reporting and safeguarding.
GovernanceObjective 4.3
General Assembly, Board and learning
Annual General Assemblies, a seven-member Executive Board with new rules of procedure and an advisory committee, and lessons-learned workshops after each mission in Arba Minch (2023), Hawassa (2024) and Bishoftu (2026).
GIZ · EU with NIMD · FCDOObjective 4.2
Training for member organizations
Trainings of trainers and cascades for member staff on civic education, women’s political participation, observation methodology, early warning, grant management and M&E.
Goal 5Partnership and resources
Improve collaboration and resource mobilization
We work with electoral bodies, national institutions and peers across Africa and beyond, and we keep diversifying the partners who fund civil society’s role in Ethiopian elections.
- 5.1Explore and expand collaboration with Election Management Bodies, International Electoral Associations and Electoral Support Organizations.
- 5.2Promote CECOE.
- 5.3Diversify the resource base.
NationalObjective 5.1
Electoral and national institutions
NEBE for accreditation, digital observer registration and the early warning system, plus ACSO, the CSO Council, the Human Rights Commission, the Political Parties Joint Council, the Ministry of Peace and the National Dialogue Commission.
Regional and globalObjective 5.1
Observer networks
Member of E-HORN, the East and Horn of Africa network of 18 organizations in eight countries, AfEONet and GNDEM, the global network of 251 domestic monitoring groups in 89 countries.
2025–2026Objective 5.1
Study and exchange missions
Peer learning with election bodies and citizen observers abroad: Malawi (NICE and the Malawi Electoral Commission, with GIZ and NEBE), Kenya (ELOG, IEBC and women parliamentarians) and Zambia (NDI and CCMG).
CommunicationObjective 5.2
Promoting CECOE
Public statements and reports in Amharic and English, the I Vote and Niqu Zega channels, the Ye’esua Dimts radio programme, a Media Desk for journalists and a library of reports and policy briefs.
2026Objective 5.1 · 5.2
Working with the media
Before the 7th General Election, CECOE trained journalists with a commissioned Election Reporting Manual and opened a Media Desk. Its election-day findings were carried by EBC, Fana, ENA, Amhara Media Corporation, Addis Maleda, Ethiopia Insider, Tikvah Ethiopia and many others.
Current partnersObjective 5.3
A diversified resource base
Our current programmes are supported by the European Union (through ECES and with NIMD), Ireland, France (Embassy and CFEE), the UK’s FCDO, AFD and GIZ, with technical cooperation from NDI and UNDP. Since 2019 CECOE has also worked with IRI and the Embassy of Denmark.
Partner with Ethiopia's largest election-focused civil society coalition
Talk to us about joint projects, observation, research or support to member CSOs.