The fee of 200 birr, which was previously required for newly established political parties to register with the National Election Board of Ethiopia and obtain a “full recognition” certificate, has now increased to 30,000 birrs. The Election Board’s new fee rates mandate that newly established political parties must pay a total of 45,000 birr to acquire both temporary and full recognition certificates.

The National Election Board of Ethiopia, which is tasked with registering, monitoring, and controlling political parties, announced today, October 22,2024 an increase in the fee for the services provided. The fee for the temporary recognition certificate issued by the board to newly formed parties has increased. This certificate is granted to a “group of citizens” seeking to establish a political party.

To form a national or regional political party, one must provide meeting minutes with at least 100 signatures, a provisional name for the party, and a certificate demonstrating adherence to electoral laws for temporary recognition. The cost for this procedure has today risen to 15,000 birrs.

Parties receiving temporary recognition can go on to collect signatures for founders, hold founding general meetings, and complete other establishment activities. Previously, newly established parties’ payment was 200 birr to obtain a full recognition certificate. The new fee for this service has been set at 30,000 birrs.

The Election Board has also increased the fee for party registration when holding general assemblies and revising and submitting documents for recognition. This fee was previously 30 birrs but has been raised to 5,000 birrs.

The National Election Board has the authority to adjust service fees and stated that regular revisions are necessary for maintaining appropriate fee amounts.