News Feature

Elections in Ethiopia Exemplary

It has been fourteen years since the dictatorial regime in Ethiopia has been ousted. The Ethiopian peoples have paid dearly to bring down the Dergue and change the system to the one where rights of nations and nationalities are respected.

Considerable development and change have been witnessed since the fall of the Dergue. 

First of all, there is governmental shift from militaristic administration to peace-seeking, developmental ruling.

With regard to the freedom of expression, the government has endorsed citizens' right to think and

act freely. The thriving of the private newspapers is a case in point.

Moreover the government has made it possible for the first time in the history of the country, the formation of political parties in their own free will, thereby fully respecting their rights to gather and establish opposition groups.    

Not only that the government allows different parties to operate without fear and restrictions, but also gives them the necessary support to participate in general elections. Prime Minister Melese Zenawi has reaffirmed that the government strives for a free, democratic election to be held and through the guidance of an independent electoral board, which demonstrates the government commitment government's commitment for the prevalence of democratic culture in the country.

It was with the same spirit that the recent third general elections took place all over the country on May 15,2005.

For a nation which for years has gone through the transfer of power only by bullet than ballot the newly introduced practice of election is indeed considered as one of the greatest political achievements.

The May elections have been characterized by more conducive political atmosphere, better mass participation and commitment to hold an all-in-all successful balloting than the previous two elections. 

To start with, preparation for the elections has been undergoing, for long before the Election Day to ensure that all electoral elements necessary for a flawless conclusion of the elections are put in place. The government, in this regard, has enabled the independent National Electoral Board (NEB) to have the ultimate mandate in administering the electoral process.

It has been making registration of political parties that would allow the parties to enter in peaceful competition. The Board has also prepared in advance the election materials and a guiding ethics of election.    

The government has shown commitment for a peaceful, democratic conduct of the elections from the onset. This dedication for a stable and peaceful power transfer has been witnessed from the fact that it created conducive atmosphere for political parties to operate in an unrestrained freedom, and to freely express their ideas on the government media. The government media have transmitted live the debates among the contending parties. This has significantly contributed in raising public awareness pertaining to their policies and creating a well informed electorate.

In this regard, the massive turnout in the peaceful rallies supporting the respective parties without any problem or hindrance affecting the demonstration is a good in point. The world has witnessed an unprecedented participation of the public on election day which showed the growing of democratic culture in the country.

In a bid to demonstrate its readiness to the election process, the government has invited   observers to monitor the overall process. 

Accordingly, the European Union Election Observation Mission Ethiopia, among others, has come to observe the elections. The report of the Mission on the election process has confirmed that the election process has been conducted positively. Ana Gomez, Chief. Observer of the EU Observation Mission, was quoted as saying that "        The polling day was a genuine demonstration of democracy".  She summarized the election process as generally held in a peaceful and orderly manner, and where greater political inclusiveness was highlighted.

The Carter Center's observation on the election matches the above description. Jimmy Carter has hailed the election process as democratic and said that the Ethiopian government has played a greater role in making the necessary preparation in order to conduct a democratic election. 

The Arab League Observer Mission on its part stated that the election took place in a fair and democratic manner and this lays a solid ground for the country's march towards development and prosperity.

Reports like the above coming from international observers have all in common the appreciation of the conduct and commitment of the ruling party to ensure peaceful and effective elections, and congratulate the Ethiopian people for the high turnout and growing democratic culture.

The owners of these elections are Ethiopians who assisted in one way or the other the successful completion of the elections. The active participation of the general public in the elections, many say, deserve appreciation coupled with the government's and the National Electoral Board's effort towards achieving fair elections.  

The elections, conducted for the third time since the overthrow of the dictatorial Dergue regime, have proved to be exemplary for the African continent and a landmark in the Ethiopian history in its level of democratic practice.