Ethiopian government says working to run fair, democratic election

April 11, 2009 (ADDIS ABEBA) — Ethiopia’s ruling party Ethiopia People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) on Friday said that it is taking the necessary steps to realize a fair and democratic election for the upcoming fourth local and national election due to be held in 2010.

In a press conference held on Friday, The organization’s office head and public mobilization advisor to the Prime Minister, Muktar Kedir said that EPRDF is currently working carefully to hold a peaceful fair, free and Democratic election.

“EPRDF would do its level best to hold an election that ensures the supreme power of the Ethiopian people” Muktar said adding “EPLDF will take part in the election, meeting all the necessary procedures.

The ruling EPRDF party on Saturday has begun its two day regular executive body meeting in the capital, Addis Ababa.

The executive Committee is expected to thoroughly discuss on issues of upcoming election, Industrialization and it will also put strategies that would scale up the capacity of the industrial sector, Muktar said.

He further said that the executive body will see directions that lead the party to secure major votes in the upcoming election.

POLITICAL SPHERE

The government official has also replied to rising concerns of narrowing political sphere and other opposition allegations.

The government of Ethiopia is taking concrete steps that would further widen the political sphere in the process of building democratic order in the country. Muktar said.

The steps taken by the government over the past couple of years were meant to widen the political sphere and enhance the democratization process in the country,.he added

He further said that the Prime Minister has the power to nominate members of the national electoral board, adding that opposition political parties were given the opportunity to nominate members of the board in a bid to widen the political sphere.

The ruling party and opposition political parties in the country have been holding wide discussions on agendas that would further enhance political participation and accelerate democratization process in the country, Muktar underscored.

Concerning the allegation opposition political parties are making that they are facing difficulties to recruit new members, Muktar said that it is tricky to raise such a claim in a country where more than 35 million eligible voters cast ballots in elections.

On May 15, 2005 Ethiopian held general election for seats in both its national regional government councils, where the ruling EPRDF won sweeping major votes. But after the national electoral board announced the outcome, opposition parties and supports in big number turn out to the streets in protest to the outcome. The post election violence left 193 protesters dead.

(ST)