Ethiopia Electoral body says political parties are running campaign peacefully

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

March 17, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — All political parties running for the upcoming election are enjoying their radio and television air time campaign on a peaceful and democratic way, The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said today.

Board chairman Tesfay Mengesha said “We haven’t faced any problem so far in regard with the on going election campaign the parties are running through radio and television.”

The peaceful and democratic way of media campaign among the parties will assure justice and a peaceful end to the coming election, he added.

On the other hand some political parties have risen complain on the airing of their campaign.

Recently few political parties complained saying a cut off over their recorded campaign has been done.

The electoral board to his side said “some recorded campaigns of parties were blocked from being on air because these parties have used the media illegally and against the law of election they agreed.”

According to NEBE few parties have used the media as a weapon to attack other parties and air non electoral ideas rather than campaigning their own goals to the people.

Some 28 political parties and over 4 million candidates are registered to run on the national election to be held soon.

(ST)