As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening electoral processes across Africa, we conducted an intensive Leadership and Conflict Management Skills for Electoral Stakeholders (LEAD) Training of Trainers (ToT) in Addis Ababa to strengthen the capacity of the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) in preparation for the deployment of Long‑Term Observers (LTOs). The cascade training, over the course of several days, served as the foundational step of a nationwide cascading model designed to equip observers with the technical, methodological and operational tools required for a comprehensive pre‑election assessment ahead of the voter registration phase.
The ToT brought together a selected group of master trainers and CECOE programme staff, who will later lead regional sessions across the country. Participants were introduced to the full Pre‑Election Observation Manual and accompanying reporting checklists, ensuring they could accurately interpret and deliver all components of the methodology. This included familiarisation with key elements of the electoral legal framework, the principles of impartial and professional observation and the structured reporting tools used throughout the pre‑election period. Considerable attention was devoted to harmonising how trainers understand and apply observation standards, so that the 334 LTOs mobilised across Ethiopia will work with a uniform approach regardless of region or language. To support this, all technical documents, including manuals, checklists and incident forms, were finalised in four local languages to guarantee accessibility and clarity for every observer.
A substantial portion of the ToT focused on practical learning. Trainers engaged in scenario‑based exercises replicating real voter registration conditions, including both manual and tablet‑based procedures. They practised completing standardised checklists, reporting critical incidents, assessing centre accessibility, monitoring staff performance and identifying environmental or political factors relevant to the credibility of the registration process. Participants also reviewed the use of CECOE’s reporting systems, including the Apollo SMS platform, to ensure timely and accurate data transmission once deployed.
With the completion of the Addis Ababa ToT, the cascading phase is set to unfold across 11 regional hubs through a coordinated multi‑team deployment approach. Four specialised teams will travel simultaneously to different training locations in successive waves, delivering harmonised instruction to all LTOs within a limited timeframe before voter registration begins. This structure ensures broad geographic coverage and efficient knowledge transfer while maintaining methodological consistency. Preparations include the assembly and distribution of training kits, the production of more than 137,000 colour‑coded printed pages to distinguish different reporting forms and the organisation of logistical support for teams and trainees at regional level.
Once trained, CECOE’s LTOs will begin their seven‑month field engagement, providing continuous observation of the pre‑election environment. Their responsibilities include monitoring the functioning of voter registration centres, evaluating inclusivity and accessibility, assessing political campaigning and the use of public resources, documenting local-level tensions and promptly reporting critical incidents. Through weekly qualitative updates, structured checklists and end‑of‑mission reports, their work will contribute to a detailed picture of the electoral landscape.
The programme reinforces CECOE’s leadership in citizen‑driven oversight and ensures that observers across the country are equipped with the skills, tools and confidence required to carry out their mandate professionally and consistently. This initiative reflects our broader commitment to enhancing democratic resilience through tailored technical assistance, local ownership and the development of sustainable national expertise in Ethiopia.
