The Ethiopian Opposition Parties Coalition (Caucus), comprising six political parties, has declared that the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is not in a position to conduct the upcoming 7th National Elections in a free and independent manner.

In a joint statement issued on June 09, 2025, Caucus accused the election board of “incompetence” and “subservience to the ruling party,” alleging that the board lacks the neutrality required for a fair electoral process. “The ruling party’s victory is a foregone conclusion,” the statement asserted.

Caucus further claimed that the NEBE informed them that it has reached the threshold to replace 60 percent of its senior leadership. The opposition parties warned that conducting elections under these circumstances—”with inexperienced commissioners, in the midst of political instability, tensions, and ongoing conflict”—could lead to dire consequences.

“The Election Board must be free and impartial, yet in the current situation, there is no possibility for a genuinely fair election,” the coalition emphasized, adding, “This matter is deeply concerning and poses a serious threat to the country’s stability, potentially leading to chaos.”

In addition to criticizing NEBE, Caucus also condemned the National Consultative Commission, arguing that the appointment of its commissioners even did not adhere to the Prosperity Party Proclamation and was driven solely by the will of the Prime Minister.