Ethiopia’s Electoral Board Begins Digital Mapping of Polling Stations for Upcoming Elections

Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has officially launched the second phase of its effort to digitally register polling stations using geographic information system (GIS) technology, according to a statement issued today.

The Board said it has started identifying the exact locations of polling centers using “XY Coordinates,” which will allow for precise digital mapping and registration. This process is part of NEBE’s broader goal to modernize and streamline future elections.

According to NEBE, since its re-establishment in 2019, it has successfully administered one national election and three referendums. The Board is now engaged in preparations for the upcoming 7th national election, which includes a range of preliminary organizational activities.

NEBE emphasized that future elections must be conducted in a more efficient and timely manner compared to previous rounds. “To achieve this, we are working to ensure polling stations and regional electoral offices are selected based on criteria such as accessibility for voters, legal standing, and geographic distribution,” the statement noted.

The statement also underlined the importance of ensuring that the data collected is accurate and well-organized, saying the digital registration system is critical for verifying the legal establishment of polling stations and enhancing transparency.

In the first round of the GIS-based registration, 3,495 polling stations in the Sidama, Dire Dawa, Harari regions, as well as Gedeo Zone in the Southern Ethiopia Region, were successfully mapped. The second round, which began on May 11, 2025, is currently underway in Southern Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia, South-West Ethiopia regions, and Jimma Zone in the Oromia Region, covering 9,643 polling stations.

NEBE further announced that the next phase of the project will expand to Somali, Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Gambella regions starting June 2, 2025. Remaining regions across the country will be included starting in July 2025.

__

Subscribe  : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/ 

Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena

Like borkena on Facebook

Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory  Business Listing Toronto 

Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter)  @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly.  Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com

.