Election Related News
The politics behind the Board's Directive
- Betrayal, exclusion, double standard-4/23/2005
It has been more than two weeks since the
controversial “Directive for the Accreditation of
Domestic Observers” was issued by the National
Electoral Board (NEB).
To read the full story, click here.
Local observers to sue election board-
April 20 2005
(IRIN) - A coalition of Ethiopian groups
announced plans on Wednesday to file a lawsuit against
the country’s electoral commission, saying that new
rules could prevent thousands of local observers from
monitoring May’s legislative elections.
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"The youth are being arrested in a deliberate attempt
to diminish our supporters."-
April 20, 2005
"We've got no problem with legal measures on all those
found tearing down candidates' posters. We support the
move wholeheartedly. But the arrest and legal measure
should NOT ONLY apply to individuals tearing down
posters of EPRDF candidates," Ato Lidetu Ayalew said.
To read the full story, click here
More EU election observers arrive in Addis-
April 18, 2005 (IRIN) -
Fifty-two European Union (EU)
long-term election observers flew into Ethiopia on
Friday, officials said, to act as the "eyes and ears"
of the mission - one month ahead of the national
elections.
To read the full story, click here
Carter Center to Observe Ethiopian Elections-
The Carter Center, invited by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and welcomed by the National Election Board,
will observe Ethiopia’s national elections May 15th.
The 50-member delegation will be led by: former U.S.
President Jimmy Carter; his wife, Rosalynn; former
Botswana President Sir Ketumile Joni Masire; former
Tanzania Prime Minister Judge Joseph Warioba; and
Carter Center Executive Director.
To read the full story, click here
Letter from Senator McCain and Secretary Albright to
the Prime Minister of Ethiopia concerning dismissal of
observers-
April 14, 2005 -
We write to express our concern and dismay over the
recent expulsion from Ethiopia of representatives of
the International Republican Institute (IRI), IFES,
and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) by your
government. With support from USAID, the three
organizations sought to assist the democratic process
and preparations for your May 15 general elections.
These organizations carry out nonpartisan programs and
support a democratic environment in which the
integrity of the election process can be ensured and
all parties understand their rights and
responsibilities.
To read the full story, click here
Elections observers say expulsion broke promise
AP, April 1, 2005 WASHINGTON 2005 (AP) -- Three U.S.
democracy organizations whose representatives had been
expelled from Ethiopia for having the wrong visas said
they had received assurances that their personnel
would receive full working credentials.
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Ethiopian opposition says EU election observers too
little, too late
3/23/2005 - A European Union team observing Ethiopia's upcoming
election is too small and has come too late to make
any difference, according to opposition leaders who
believe the vote will not be free and fair.
To read the full story, click here