Ethiopia’s NEB – opposition still not enabled to administrate the capital
Mar 25, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Despite the extension for the third time of the deadline for the registration, Ethiopian authorities said the number of registered elected councillors didn’t meet the needed quorum.
From 10 to 20 March, the Ethiopia’s National Electoral Board (NEB) extended deadlines for the registration of elected council members of the Addis Ababa City Council. Only two members registered during this period, the Reporter said.
The NEB had earlier called upon the elected councillors to register at the board so that the city could have its elected administration. The move was, however, futile because it was only 62 of the 138 elected councillors had registered since January 2006, falling short of the required number, 70.
The refusal by opposition councillors to register means Addis Ababa will continue to be run by an appointed transitional administration dominated by the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).
The opposition CUD considers unacceptable laws enacted by the government about the city administration.
On October 11, 2005, the CUD chairman Hailu Shewal said “We have written a letter to the government to revoke those laws so that we can take our seats on the city council as mandated by the people,” he said. “If they are not going to do so, we are not taking over the city administration.”
The laws in question relate to the transfer of some city tax revenue from the council to the federal government and a provision that requires the local board to report to the prime minister who has the power to dismiss its members.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s government has thus far refused to change the laws and has said unless the CUD takes its 109 seats in parliament the party will not eligible to run the local administration in the capital.
(ST)