Ethiopian electoral body says finalized hearing of election complaints

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 11, 2005 (ENA) — The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said it has finalized second round hearing of election complaints lodged by contesting political parties.

The board office told Ethiopian News Agency on Monday that it has finalized second round hearing of complaints of political parties on election in the Southern Ethiopia People’s State.

The Complaints Investigating Panel (CIP) has heard complaints lodged by the Sidama Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) that had previously been rejected by election experts as they were not supported by substantive evidences, the board said.

The CIP indicated that it will investigate the cases and pass decisions whether the complaints lodged by the two parties on 25 constituencies would be rejected or not.

The board office also said that SLM has submitted complaints on four constituencies, while the CUD submitted complaints on elections in 21 constituencies.

The CIP said it has finalized hearing of election-related complaints lodged by contesting political parties in Afar, Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya and Southern Ethiopia People’s States.