At the end of last week, we supported the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) to deliver a training in Nekemte, Oromia Region. The session forms part of CECOE’s cascading model to equip master trainers who will subsequently train Long‑Term Observers (LTOs) ahead of the countrywide voter registration for Ethiopia’s 7th General Election.
The cascade training model is a step‑by‑step system in which national experts train regional and local actors through successive levels. It ensures consistent, professional, and accurate application of methods nationwide while remaining flexible enough to adapt to different regional and linguistic contexts.
The Nekemte training, which represents the second wave, after the one already developed in Gode, gathered master trainers drawn from various areas across the Oromia Region and was implemented over two days. The trainers reviewed the Pre‑Election Observation Manual, key reporting instruments, and the methodology they will later pass on to LTOs. The training modules addressed the legal context, fundamental observation standards and code of conduct; assessment of the political and administrative environment; safety procedures and communication protocols in the field; as well as hands‑on preparation for observing both manual and tablet‑based voter registration. The programme also featured extensive exercises using standardized checklists and critical‑incident forms, practical simulations, and the distribution of training kits to ensure consistent delivery during the next round of trainings.
This session formed part of CECOE’s broader national effort to harmonize observer preparation and materials. Overall, translated manuals and colour‑coded templates have been produced in four languages to enable coherent implementation and reporting across regions, supporting a planned cohort of several observers in the pre‑election period.
