The long awaited national election in Ethiopia is tentatively proposed for 16 August 2020. Optimistically, many people expect the election to ensure genuine democracy in the country once and for all through free and fair election; on the other hand, a number of uncertainties and challenges are entertained among various stakeholders.
In this regard, The Ethiopian Herald has discussed with leaders from some competing political parties focusing on the challenges and prospects as well as the roles from government structures, political parties, and different stakeholders to successfully hold peaceful general parliamentary elections.
Prof. Merera Gudina, Chairperson of the Oromo Federalist Congress Party, believes that the government must first work for setting up national consensus among various segments of the society before the election.
The political polarization being observed among different political parties needs to take shape since the goal of making an election is establishing democratic nation through free and fair election, he stated.
Prof. Merera also pointed out that political parties, including the ruling, have to respect the schedule, for mobilizing a political campaign or rally, set by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). He also suggested that NEBE has to prepare practical trainings for every constituency administrators and independent observers ahead of time.
According to Prof. Merera, unwanted misbehaviors from political parties came up as major concerns that would hinder to carry out successful elections.
Natnael Feleke, Public Relations Officer to the Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (Ezema) party, believed that three bodies such as the Security, NEBE, and Political parties have significant contributions to make free, fair and democratic elections peacefully.
According to him, being neutral from any political influences, the Security Forces need to take strong commitment to alleviate any form of threats and challenges that would obstruct to uphold effective election. The federal police, in collaboration with the defense forces, must subsequently predict the possible intimidations, extortions and fears, and then should not delay to take actions so as to safeguard the lives of citizens, he added.
As to Natnael, the NEBE has to intelligently select and recruit independent vote administrators at all levels of constituency; besides domestic and international observers must also stand for real and democratic election, rather than being loyal for a particular political group.
In addition, the political parties, as it should be, could prepare campaigns to explain their political thoughts to the people at every region where they are competing with. In so doing, they must also accept the final result collected by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, he suggested.
Likewise, former President of the Ethiopian Raey Party, Teshale Sebro for his part said that Ethiopians are now eager to build a more democratic government more than ever before. But, there are now many things that lead the people to be desperate in which they are not natural problems, but socially constructed that could be calmed down through time in process, he added.
Since the confusion existing here and there has never been observed before, the sole way out to establish a stable government is creating national consensus between and among peoples from diversified cultural backgrounds as well as leaders of various political entities.
Teshale also agreed that the Electoral Board and the Security Forces are exhibiting their commitment and readiness to ensure fair and democratic election whereas others are still engaged in spreading hatred and crafting fabricated history that would leave negative spots on common cultures and common destiny of peoples living together for centuries, he explained.
As to Teshale, the society as well as other pertinent stakeholders must stand beside the government so as to deter unwelcome transgressions and show fervent support to form a stable and peaceful nation ever than before.
The Ethiopian Herald February 1/2020
BY ZELALEM GIRMA
