The nation seems caught in the political crossfire whether the election the National Electora
Board (NEB) slated to conduct months later this year should be carried out or postponed. But after Covid-19 reversed the order of things the balance is tilting towards the latter as espoused by those who see things with a cool head at this dark spot in mankind’s history.
As a credible election that could warrant a genuine democracy looked-forward to by citizens, for ages, obligate citizens insulated from anxieties of different nature that could rob them of equanimity, throw them out of balance and coerce them to back off from active participation.
In the face of a pandemic having a delirious impact on society and compelling social distancing, urging for the conduct of election eclipsed by a dark cloud gathering over their head that has a deleterious impact on society is fatuous if not impish as it is natural to expect a throng of people in election polls.
The election NEB slated for this year and many similar events on the global calendar like the Tokyo Olympic and world expo to be held in Dubai are ruled out. It is not to surmise the financial crisis, among others, the turn of events could inflict. Rather it is high time to roll up sleeves to cushion the socioeconomic aftermath of the pandemic.
The propensity of demanding the conduct of election facing the risk of one’s health spots light on hidden motive to take advantage of shaky or unstable situation showcases inconsiderateness. It is cognizant of this fact the incumbent which was unflinching for seeing to the conduct of election as per the slated time this year has made a bugled 180 degree shift to espouse the postponement of the election in consonance with NEB’s decision. The government was Striving its level best to play a midwifery role to the birth of democracy in the true sense of the word. By a strange twist of fate Covid-19 has aborted the envisaged program.
Contrary to this, on the global arena we are witnessing the anathema Poland is entertaining for pressing ahead to conduct presidential election via postal mail at this trying time in history.
Democratic institutions and opposition parties there as well as European Union are denouncing the action unbecoming. For the third time Olympic is to be cancelled this time eclipsed by Covid-19, which has proved no less disastrous. The previous two were cancelled due to world I & II.
Hence postponing big events such as election is rather sagacious. Confining the activities of people estranged from daily activities to their home Covid-19 has made them suffer financial malnutrition. The big question must be how to surmount the challenge.
Now we are at a point in time everybody’s thought should fall in place. The demerit of thinking about election at a time when Covid-19 has tightened its noose on our neck outweighs its merit. Giving a kiss of life to our economy is what must preoccupy our mind.
The conviction the incumbent showed during the period of change shows that it is capable enough to once more stir the sheep out of murky water safely. The government has done commendable tasks in ramming home. Precaution measure and bring down possible death tolls. It has taken timely humanitarian, political and economic preemptive tasks.
As things in the not distant future are still dubious, far from complacence, precautionary rules and regulations should be observed in a strict manner. Repercussion that crop up due to our negligence would be follies we could hardly afford to tolerate. It could as well put the country’s longevity under a question mark. Taking this into consideration the government had conducted discussion with competing parties to settle the dispute whether the election should be held or not in amicable and civilized manner. The idea has brought credence from the NEB. After the House of People Representatives examined ENB’s election postponement decision and approved it, for further scrutiny, it had forwarded it to the Justice and Administration Standing committee. The decision will help all to throw full weight behind averting the pandemic.
The government believes prescribed solutions on the table should be within the framework of the law and the constitution. This must be one that does not open room for a country without a state. They have to be which facilitate the conduct of the next election as soon as possible and favorable. Also they must be ones that doesn’t pose logjams in the protection of the spread of the disease and troubleshooting related challenges. Moreover it has to be that close door for the slightest possibility that compromise citizens’ right. The solution should be a trendsetter that helps similar challenges down the road true to the ideals of constitutionalism.
Starting from the times the NEB made clear the election with not be held this year the government has been getting option studied by noted and well versed professionals. Split into three independent groups have studied cases. They have seen the case against the backdrop of the constitution, other laws and international conventions as well as experience of other countries. At last they have come up with options that have proximity. Any other foul play to grab the rein of power will not be tolerated. These facts were embodied in our PM speech.
The Ethiopia Herald May10,2020
