Melatework Hailu (Amharic: ሜላተ ወርቅ ሀይሉ) is an Ethiopian politician and journalist who is the current chairperson of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) since 2023. Following Birtukan Mideksa resignation in June 2023, two nominees approved in the bid for the presiding NEBE chairperson. Among these two bids, both Melatwork and Tadesse Lemma meet the criteria to hold the chairperson position in December 2023.^[1] She was appointed by the House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR) and nominated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on 19 December.^[2]

Career

Hailu was a member of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO). Melatework's leadership spanned from multitude roles, such as fields of election management, public administration, and media and communication and participated various organizations the Ethiopian Digital Platform, the African Initiative for Planetary and Space Science, and the CSTD Side Event on Start Green Goals. Following Birtukan Mideksa resignation from National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) chairperson on 26 June 2023, NEBE conducted a bid election for next presiding position on 2 December. Among the two bids, both Melatwork and Tadesse Lemma meet the criteria of the chair of NEBE.^[3][4] On 19 December, Melatework has been appointed by the House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR) and nominated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.^[1]

References