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Parliament Swears-In a Lawyer as Electoral Chief

Dec 19 , 2023

The National Election Board of Ethiopia welcomed today its new chairperson, Melatworq Hailu, following a parliamentary session that saw her sworn in with hardly any opposition.

Born in Gonder, Amhara Regional State, Melatworq's appointment is expected to bring a renewed focus on the integrity and efficacy of the electoral processes where local elections have been absent for five years now. Her dual expertise in law and business administration may well be helpful for her in navigating the complexities of Ethiopia's evolving political landscape.

Melatworq steps into a role vacated by Birtukan Midekssa, who resigned five months ago citing health concerns. Her ascension to the chair comes at a critical moment for Ethiopia's political landscape, following a nomination process spearheaded by an eight-person committee and ratified by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD).

A seasoned public servant, Melatworq's tenure includes a decade as the legal head of the former Ethiopian Customs & Revenue Authority (ERCA) and directorial positions within the Board itself. Her education is as diverse as her career, studying law, peace and security at the Addis Abeba University; and a business administration postgraduate studies at the Harvard University. She is recognised as one of the founders of the New Generation University College.

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