Election 2005

Election Benefits

EU Pledges Support for Resolution of Election Complaints

European Parliament Committee on Development   meeting in Brussels, Belgium confirmed that it would extend support to peaceful and legal resolution of complaints related to the third national elections.

The European Union Election Observer Mission in Ethiopia had also presented its report regarding the election during a meeting of the European Development Committee held on June 21,2005.

In attendance at the meeting were Ethiopian Ambassador to EU and Benelux Countries, Berhane Gebre-Kiristos, and two members of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (UCD) and the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF).

Briefing the Committee, Ambassador Berhane said the third national lection was completed successfully.

59 Women Win Federal Seats

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) announced women contestants have won 59 seats in the May 15 elections out of the 307 constituents whose results were made official. And 53 of the 59 are those fielded by the Ethiopian Peoples

Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

Accordingly, EPRDF women contestants won big for parliament from the Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and South Ethiopia Peoples States, where a total of eight political parties have vied for the seats.

Preparations Finalized for Upcoming Election in Somali State

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) says it is finalizing preparations of the necessary documents and materials for the parliamentary and regional council elections to be conducted in the Somali state next month.

There are 23 constituencies established under the 52 Woredas in the State.  

Voter registration will begin next month at 760 centers and 2,000 polling stations.

Body Reviews Complaints Filed by CUD, EPRDF

The Complaint Review Body (CRB)  has heard the complaints filed by two political parties in constituencies in Amhara and Oromaia States.

NEBE said that CRB had been hearing the complaints lodged by the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD)  and Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which had been dropped earlier by CRB for inadequate evidences.

NEBE said CRB would give its decision after hearing the additional evidences filed by the parties.