Issue #7 Fortnightly Newsletter Special Edition April, 2015 Updates From the Embassy in Canberra In This Issue Special Issue on the Ethiopian Election in May, 2015 The Fifth Ethiopian National Election to take place on May 24, 2015
The Fifth Ethiopian National Election to Take Place in May, 2015 Ethiopia adopted a constitution consisting of 106 articles that established the current Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. According to Article 10 of the constitution, human rights and freedoms, awarded to eventuating from the nature of mankind, are inviolable and inalienable. Hence, human and democratic rights of citizens and peoples shall be respected. As a result, the right to vote and be elected is stipulated in Article 18of the constitution. The rights of vote and election have been exercised four times. The fifth federal and state election will be conducted in May, 2015. electoral system that enables political parties and private candidates to compete equally and impartially. It also works to enable citizens to exercise their constitutional democratic rights to elect candidates of their choice and to be elected freely. The election in Ethiopia is guided by the election law and by an election code of conduct and many other directives. The code of conduct aims to promote tolerance, encourage political campaigning and open public discussion, to ensure a free and fair election. The directives include; the directive on the registration of candidates, the directive on the registration of voters, the directive on public observers and representatives of political parties and private candidates, the directive on voting, counting and announcement of results, guide lines and code of conduct for international observers. The government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has deployed every effort to make the May 2015 elections fair, peaceful, democratic and credible in the eyes of the Ethiopian people; to maintain peace and order during the whole process of the elections, and is committed to ensuring a level playing field for all political parties. Both the ruling party and the opposition parties are expected to respect the constitution, pertinent laws and directives. They are also responsible for making elections peaceful and credible. The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is a neutral institution which coordinates the election in Ethiopia. The board has the duty of ensuring a free, fair and impartial election. It is responsible for the organisation of an To that effect, the National Election Board of Ethiopia has been engaged in pre-election activities such as: building the capacity of the staff of the election and the process, the training of parties, party representatives, public observers, preparing election materials 2
and organising election stations, voters registration, candidate registration and election campaigns. Voters registration was carried out between 9 January and February 19, 2015. A total of 36, 551, 461 voters were registered, out of which 48% were women, This accounts for 97% of eligible voters. This year's registration process showed significant increment in voters registration and effective exercise of the rights of women to vote. Voters education through state, private and social media has helped to increase voters registration to a record level. Candidates registration took place between 25 December and February 11, 2015. 58 political parties with 5819 candidates have been registered for state and federal parliaments. 22% of all candidates are women. According to the constitution and electoral laws, the government has disbursed public funds to political parties to run election campaigns. In addition to financial support, broadcast airtime and print media platforms have been allocated. This includes 600 hours of broadcast time on TV and radio, and 700 columns of print media platforms. The election campaign started on February 14 and will continue until 21 May 2015. Election debates have been organised by different institutions including Addis Ababa University, Fana Broadcasting Center and Ethiopian Television. Nine rounds of debates have been constructed on issues relevant to voters. The titles of the debates include Federalism, Good Governance and Rule of Law, Agriculture and Industrialization, Infrastructure Development, Education, Health and Foreign Policy. According to public opinion, the televised debates have helped the public to identify the party capable of leading the country. The public has also expressed that the political space has been dignified, but inflammatory words and anarchic campaigns of some parties have to be curbed from the outset. The national and regional council elections will take place on 24 May 2015. Political Parties debated on Urban Development and Industrial Policies Source: http://www.fanabc.com/english/ Addis Ababa: April 3, 2015 (FBC) Representatives of various parties held a debate on urban development and industrial policies as part of election campaign for the upcoming general election in Ethiopia. Representatives from the ruling Ethiopian People s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), All Ethiopian Unity Party, Ethiopian Democratic Unity Movement, Ethiopian Democratic Party and All Ethiopian National Movement participated in the debate. Some of the opposition noted EPRDF s urban development and industrialization policy has impoverished urban dwellers, denied 3
ownership of land and homes and argued that it has failed to produce human capital. EPRDF argued its urban development and industrial policies have established a conducive environment for small and medium enterprises to flourish, creating jobs and reducing poverty. Its policies have made urban centers suitable for living for their dwellers. EPRDF s industrial policy has made a tremendous progress from a non-existent stage into an exporting and vibrant sector due to the collaboration of the Government and developmental entrepreneurs. The policy has set the stage for linkage between the agriculture and the industrial sector in the country. Moreover, the industrial policy of EPRDF has created job opportunities to citizens. The parties also debated on good governance in urban centers, provision of land, water and other infrastructures, and related issues. Religious Leaders Call for Peaceful Conduct of Upcoming Election www.ena.gov.et Addis Ababa Apr 29/2015 Religious leaders today urged all political parties and citizens of the country to peacefully hold the 5th National Election to be held next month. Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarch, His Holiness Abune Mathias said all Ethiopians should strive to conduct a peaceful election that will be exemplary to other African countries and the rest of the world. The patriarch called on all political parties, the society and stakeholders to work together for the success of the upcoming national election since peace is not a choice but a matter of existence. President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Shiekh Muhammed Amin, said on his part developing the culture of cooperation between political parties will empower the people in their struggle to eradicate poverty and backwardness. He urged all political parties, people of the country and religious leaders to give priority to the affairs of the people. Although an election is a contest between political parties, the bases are the affairs of the people, he said, adding that all political parties should build the image of our country by accepting the outcomes of the election. Ethiopian Catholic Church President, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Surafel said political parties should interpret the desire of the society and use them for the common benefits of all. He asked the people, including religious leaders, to cooperate and pray for the conclusion of the upcoming election in a democratic, free, fair and credible manner. President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Wekseyoum Edosa said all political parties that are contesting in the election should work for the peaceful conclusion of the election. He said Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekene Yesus will pray the election to be fair and peaceful. Secretary General of Ethiopian Evangelical Churches Union, Alemu Sheta stated that the 4
public should strive for peace since peace is crucial for spiritual undertakings and the development of the country. The people should therefore work hard to sustain the peace of our country, he added. Seventh Day Adventist International Church Ethiopian Union Commission, Secretary General Temesgen Bulti noted that all Ethiopians should strive to maintain the development that has been registered in the country. All Ethiopians should exercise their democratic rights in good spirit since peaceful and fair election are characteristics of a democratic country, he pointed out. Ethiopian Kale Heywot Church President Taketel Yohannes indicated that Ethiopians should follow a peaceful way by identifying what is good and necessary for the development of the country. 5