ADDIS ABABA – Members of the Ethiopian Parliament held a discussion with the European Union election observers’ team regarding the upcoming general election, The Ethiopian Herald learned.
On the occasion, Shitaye Minale, the deputy House Speaker, said the government has full confidence that the election will be held peacefully. Successful election can only be achieved when there is peace; so, the government is working to maintain peace throughout the country, she added.
“The government is committed to holding a free and fair election, and the experience of the EU’s observance team will be very important for us.”Tesfaye Daba, Chairperson of the House’s Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee, for his part said that the full endorsement of the budget requested by the new Electoral Board is an indication of the government’s commitment to the election’s success.
He also noted that the appointment of Birtukan Midheksa as chairperson of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, Dr. Daniel Bekele as commissioner of Ethiopian Human Rights Commission shows the government’s commitment to democracy.
Loic Defaye, Policy Officer for Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda at the European External Action Service (EEAS) explained that the team is trying to see the current status of peace and security in the country by travelling to some cities of the country. “Everyone should work responsibly to maintain peace in the country”, he said.
According to him, the EU’s election observation team will arrive in Ethiopia six weeks before the election and they will submit their final report after the election.
The Ethiopian Herald January 22/2020
BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
