Ethiopia is poised to hold a general election by May 2020. Opening a joint session of the two houses earlier in October, President Sahle-Work Zewde signaled government’s commitments towards democratic and peaceful poll, but to most political parties, negotiation and consensus must precede the election.
The election that has been through the thick and thin attracted fierce debate among politicians and elite scholars who favor the election be held or be postponed.
And, the ruling EPRDF has lately tilted to holding the poll with its Chairperson and Prime Minister of the country Dr. Abiy Ahmed expressing readiness to transfer power in a country where the election has usually be sources of confrontation, not a concession.
The 2005 election was worth-nothing. It was, by far, one of the democratic elections that had ever been held, yet with consequential outcomes that almost shuttered hopes that had sparkled during the process. Since then, there had been little headway towards competitive, democratic and peaceful polls.
National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) headed by Birtukan Mideksa, a previous well-known political figure, has been pursuing negotiation with over 160 political parties. While a new election law has been passed, there also seems to remain issues put unaddressed. On various occasions, she expressed readiness to usher the upcoming polls in a new path.
But, this time, political parties are more cautious about the process leading up to the election, if according to them, go wrong, would derail the whole sense of the poll.
Prof. Merera is a prominent opposition figure in Ethiopian politics. He tells The Ethiopian Herald that the highest concern hinges on the process and status of the country. A status; the prevailing of multiple make or break issues, that need to be dealt with before holding the election.
Pursuing national consensus in the country is never to falter about. The diametrically opposite view among the elite politicians which has a domino effect in the nation is ascribable to lacking national consensus.
Among the missing and yet critical issues is also a middle ground between extreme ends both among opposition groups and even deep inside the ruling party. This situation unless negotiated carefully perhaps would get the country into a chaotic state.
A lot of negotiations are also to be done between NEBE and competing parties so that the process could be binding and acceptable. He says political parties shoulder the biggest
responsibility to make the poll, at least, non-controversial. So far, the Oromia State is the best fit for cooperation. The parties that compete in the state are holding negotiation which is worth-scaling up, he adds.
Ethiopian Citizens Party for Social Justice (ECPSJ) has also said it has rolled up sleeves for the election. It has been opening up offices.
Girma Seifu, the only opposition members to secure a seat in the FDRE Parliament in the 2010 election. He says as the government commits itself for the election, ensuring peace and free movement of parties is an important step for a free, peaceful and democratic election. So, the election’s sense is determined by how the government structure is responsive to avoid flaws in the process.
The reason why the 2005 election proved competitive was that the then administration committed itself to its fairness. But things had fallen apart as the same administration failed to concede defeat. These days, the ruling is vowing readiness to concession, if defeated; this is, at least, a good step forward. EZEMA is also ready to concede if defeated.
An election is about a system and it needs, chiefly, the ruling’s determination to ensure peace and order and create conducive environment for parties to mobilize voters freely. Girma’s opinion is seconded
by Yusuf, a member of the National Movement of Amhara. He underscores that a democratic path to an election cannot be attained overnight. “We should not put exceptions in the process of the election. The process is gradual and it requires continuous negotiations”.
Democratization is achieved through successive teachings and pieces of training, he says. “We expect the ruling to play a leading role in further opening up the political landscape and pushing for a democratic election, however, democracy requires collective actions from all segments of the society.
NAMA has been working hard in its capacity to make the election peaceful. “We, as NAMA, think that the citizens of the country have the full right to pick the party they think represents their interests. And, the election must be inclusive where every interest is respected.
Another new party which is in formation is the National Congress of Great Tigray (Baytona), a Tigray based party. Kibrom Berhe is a coordinator of the party. He is doubtful if the election would be competitive and realistic. He says with the electoral board failing to do its backlogs of homework, holding an election, for him, is tricky. The fact that the board is sluggish would tarnish the election process, he believes.
Some issues remain untouched and not negotiated. I fear the board could create a setback for some parties. There seem to be tendencies of favoring few political parties while ignoring other opposition parties, he adds.
Political parties like Baytona are caught between a hard place and rock due to the “misdeeds” of the board, mentioning the controversies surrounding the electoral board and the political parties.
“Political parties should be formed transparently and democratically. And our politicians must learn to entertain diverse views and work together despite political differences.”
Members of the various parties seem to have a confluence point in that outstanding issues should be dealt with well ahead of the election and the government should remain firm to put its commitments to practice for a democratic general election.
Soliyana Shemelis, NEBE Communication Director, for her part says: “We’re working on the assumption that we are going to deliver a better quality election meeting international standards.
“We also hope to make the election more credible, fair as well as participatory than the predecessors. An election is not the sole responsibility of the electoral board; it does require
the participation and contribution of all actors. A democratic election is a product of collective efforts. We are trying our best in our capacity to deliver democratic election.
“This time, the election is not just an ordinary one; it is a transnational election with which we take it seriously.” There had been lots of complaints, and problems in previous elections. Hence, we and other actors must be cautious and conscious to do better this time and use the opportunity for democratic transition, she says.
“Given the time we have and the reform agendas we have to implement, we just cannot materialize a perfect preparation. All in all, we are trying on our side to make the election a success.”
But Soliyana believes the time is a major setback in the election process. She says the challenge is that the reforms are being launched very late. Had the reforms been launched years ago, we would have had enough time for the election.
Everyone is running out of time. The incumbent needs more time to ensure peace and order. Political parties have limited time to engage with their voters. And the public has limited time to make up their minds and learn about the political parties. ‘However, we hope to meet the deadlines.”
Soliyana also does not conceal the fact that some parties have complaints which she said: “do not hold water”. Talking about the past complaints by several
political parties that went on a hunger strike, Soliyana says it is up to the political parties to explain what they are protesting about and set their concerns about the law. “Our recommendation concerning the civil workers not to participating in the election has already been reversed by the parliament.
The other complaint the parties have is they need to get a 10,000 founding members to establish a nation-wide party. It is a very little number. A 10,000 founding member is not in any way a burden for political parties; it is even less than one thousand per region.
These are political parties that feel comfortable about the previous laws and the minimum requirement it had. The problem is that the media is overblowing it. It is not just the board’s recommendation only; it was also the public that has backed such requirements as well.
“We would have appreciated if the conversation moved on to what kind of directive should we have and what kinds of framework and time we need to have to comply with the new standard but we are not getting there yet.”
“If a national party cannot deliver 10,000 members, how would it be a national party? In our opinion we do not think that the 10,000 membership is a burden to political parties, it rather gives them the opportunity to nominate and mobilize people. Someone who knows the Ethiopian politics can understand the capacity of some political parties.”
The Ethiopian Herald December 20/2019
BY DESTA GEBREHIWOT
