Ethiopian electoral body dispatches 40,000 additional voter IDs to Somali State

JIJJIGA, Ethiopia, July 30, 2005 (ENA) — The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said it has sent 40,000 additional voter IDs to the Somali State. More than 124,000 people have got registered in election centers and polling stations set up in five woredas of the Jijjiga Zone.

NEBE Logistics and Distribution Department Head, Biruk Wondwossen told ENA on Saturday that the voter IDS have been sent to the Gode zone of the Somali State.

Biruk said reports from various zones of the State have indicated that the number of voters has dramatically increased.

The Jijjiga zone is among zones where large number of voters has been registered, the head said, adding preparations are underway to dispatch more voter IDs.

Meanwhile, it was reported that more than 124,000 people have got registered in election centers and polling stations set up in five woredas in Jijjiga Zone of the Somali State to cast votes in the elections due to be held across the region on 21 August.

The Jijjiga Zone Constituency Coordinator, Mohammed Habib told ENA on Saturday that the voters have been receiving voter IDs since July 25.

Mohammed said the registration was being carried out in 89 centers and 401 polling stations set up in Jijjiga, Gursum, Kebribeyah, Harshin and Awbere woredas under the Jijjiga constituency.

He said the enthusiasm of the public to register was remarkable.