Last month Ethiopians cast their ballots in the 2013 local elections. They were peaceful and according to the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) more than 90% of the 31 million registered voters took part on polling days, 14 and 21 April.
Local elections here are for electing members of local government at zonal, sub-city, “woreda” (district) and “kebele”(neighbourhood) levels. In 2013 they also included elections for council members of the city government of Addis Ababa.The results are scheduled to be announced on 10 May, but the ruling party is expected to obtain close to 100% of the vote.
I was pleased to see that these elections were conducted peacefully and were well organised; and that 23 opposition parties took part. We are unaware of any specific allegations of harassment or intimidation. Air-time was given to both the ruling party and those opposition parties who choose to take part in the elections.
However, it was disappointing that a number of the major opposition parties chose to boycott the elections. I worry that this restricted political choice amongst Ethiopians. In the future, I hope more political parties feel they can engage in the political and electoral process in the hope that, come the 2015 general elections, Ethiopians have more political choice and can hear a wider range of views.
Dear Sir’s
I really appreciate your concern for the Ethiopian Election. But I will comment my own concerns just a comment
1. The assign, recruitment, civil education of the National Electorial Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is highly influenced by the ruling party and it looks all the procedures look to the standard the people that are hired are favorers of EPRDF.
2. Unedited and live televised debates would be more attractive to nations rather than edited ones. There is no live televised debates.
3. Jamming of international mass media should be stopped.
4.Journalists should not be harassed, jailed for their writtings including activists they play the major role in elections all over the world.
5. New laws like the Anti terriorism law, Election amendement proclamation, press law, civic society law paralised the growth of democracy in Ethiopia it created a massive panic on nations that everyone is afraid to comment or write against the government.
6. So could you say in all these difficult and unfair environment how come the oppositions parties participate.
7. It is unfair play ground for any party as well for the citizens. It is as if going to the football match. With the winners declared in advance.
So thank you Ambassador for your concern and I hope you country will participate and play a major role in the democracy development in Ethiopia. And from my point of view find a way to make sure all the aids that you provide are not being used for the political advancement by the ruling party but rather than used for to bring better life to the citizens of Ethiopia. And find a mechanism to control how the government is spending the aid that is provided under the Ethiopian People name.
Respectfully
Just concerned citizen
Long live Ethiopia and UK.