Court dismisses Merara’s charge against Ethiopia’s electoral board

Jan 2, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia said court has turned down the charge filed against it by Dr. Merara Gudina on behalf of the Oromo National Congress (ONC).

The board told the state-run ENA on Monday that the federal first instance court dismissed the charge as baseless.

The court has lifted the board’s decision which was suspended due to the charge filed by Merara, the board said.

Concerning the leadership of the party, the court passed decision for the validity of the decision passed by the electoral board, according to the board.

The board said the court stated that the electoral board executed its duties per the mandate bestowed to it, adding that the court also decided the plaintiff to make up the cost and loss the board incurred as a result of the charge.

The electoral board said the ONC had changed leadership of the party during its general assembly held recently.

Accordingly, per the request of ONC, the electoral board approved the new executive committee led by Tolosa Tesfaye, the board said.

(ENA/ST)