Due to the political transition that the nation is going through coupled with the outcomes that brought with it, there have been some arguments whether the 2012 election should be held or not.
Not long ago, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopian (NEBE) has set the date for the election to be held in the coming August.
Even though there is no a single entity that should be left out when it comes to having a democratic and fair election, apart from the major role of a joint effort among the competing parties, the ruling party, civil society associations, as well as, the society takes the lion’s share as it has the power to appoint or discharge his/her own leaders.
Reflecting on the role of the society, Adane Mekuria, a businessman mentioned that having a free election would not be a problem so long as society knows what it wants to have or not. Having a crystal-clear idea that they desire to have in the country along with understanding the ways to reflect their idea in a peaceful and civilized manner would play an incalculable role for a free and fair election.
As long as the parties are provided with equal opportunities to reflect their views, manifestos, the society would have the opportunity to select a party that goes with it.
The society should be conscious of its moves as well as play its responsibility in shaping the youths to reduce the negative outcomes.
“The major priority should be given to preventing the undesired outcomes before happening. This would only be achieved by learning from our past election experience, the failures” said Mekedelawit Dereje, an accountant.
As politics has never been a bed of roses and few ups and downs are inevitable, minimizing the consequences is possible. Therefore, all parties should put their differences aside and give priority to the well-being of the nation as a whole, as to her.
Having that kind of mental attitude would leave no room for conflicts and instability and also would help the parties as well as its citizens to have a win-win chance despite who wins the election.
Alemayehu Negewo, student of electrical engineering on his part said that given the fact that various areas of the nation including universities had been unstable, it would be best to make the election next year or so. However, students, wherever they are, should be attentive to their deeds. As a literate citizen, they have to be model to the rest of the society by acting according to the law.
In addition, through being an active participant in politics is an indication of the civilized citizens, they should never bring their differences into the school compound since their major goal to be there is acquiring academic knowledge not a political chair, he said.
The utmost focus of the parties, as well as the whole society, should be having a peaceful and democratic nation. Anyone’s recklessness or self-interest act might cost the nation in many aspects. As a result, everyone irrespective of any differences should play its responsibility, he stressed.
The Ethiopian Herald March 4/2020
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
