BY HAILE DEMEKE
Ethiopia is going through crucial political developments since Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018. His election led to the ending of the 20-year deadlock and no-war no-peace relations with neighboring Eritrea, freeing of thousands of political prisoners, easing draconian laws and reopening the media landscape.
Most importantly, the appointment of apolitical chairperson of the Electoral Board was one of the U-turn that the country took for better. Since then there has been an extensive effort from the Electoral Board side to prepare both the country and the people before the global COVID-19 pandemic triggered the postponement of the election. Having gone through the proper legal and constitutional procedures, the election was postponed and is scheduled to be held this year.
In fact, the road for a fair election is rocky given Ethiopia’s practice of democracy and multiparty elections are a recent experience. It has been started in 1991 and five general elections had been held ever since the resulted of which were a source debate and conflicts as political parties expressed concern of vote rigging and cheating by the ruling party.
Now that the country is well positioned to cope up with the impact of the coronavirus, the preparations for holding the election have resumed as the Board doubles its effort for a free and fair election. In what can be said a firm commitment of the government, this week the Prime Minister has held discussion with political partied on the scheduled election.
At the heart of a free and fair as well as transparent election remains electoral system reform. Electoral system reform has huge impact on the next Ethiopian national election, which is scheduled for August 2020.
In the discussion forum with the opposition political parties, Civil Society Organization (CSOs), regarding the upcoming 2021 election, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed said that Ethiopia’s elections, now scheduled for August, will be critical for the country. The election was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and scheduled to be held at the end of May and August.
He further noted that the stakeholders have reached an understanding on ways making the 2021 election democratic and fair. The federal government will do its level best to lay the foundation for free and fair elections in the country, he added.
He stressed the need to be principled in the elections discourse by all parties as there is consistent switching of positions on holding elections under the pretext both invalid excuses but not least tangible concerns.
He emphasized that elections are among the critical foundations of democratization processes and for it to be effective, it requires the fulfillment of perfect environment and prerequisites.
Pre-election problem solving mechanisms have been discussed, planned upon to create conducive environment for all competing parties.
Political parties and the ruling party said that the 2021 national election is expected to be free, fair and competitive and the government’s commitment was well displayed when exiled opposition parties leaders were allowed to enter the country and political prisoners and journalists, and others were freed.
Public Relation Director with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) Kejela Merdasa told The Ethiopian Herald that election has become a major factor in the stabilization and democratization process of the country. Elections provide an opportunity to strengthen a wide range of institutions and processes in a transitional democracy. Genuine elections provide the means for the people of a country to express their political will, concerns and priorities.
“The NEBE must be independent so as to make the 2021 election free, fair and democratic. Apart from this, holding consecutive and open discussion with the concerned bodies would help us expediting the path for democratization process.”
Genuine elections are the right paths to promote and protect the exercise of people’s rights and freedoms. Elections therefore must be approached in the context of a country’s broader democratic transition efforts.
In democratic systems people participate in decision making directly by themselves or through their elected representatives. Representatives should be elected freely and fairly. In this regard,the electoral administration plays a pivotal role in ensuring electoral integrity. The electoral administration is primarily guided by the constitutional and legal framework and the institutional arrangements of electoral management bodies.
The Government of Ethiopia has, within its wider effort on building democracy. Changes are underway and the government is adjusting overall institutions to further widen the democratic space and ensure rule of law.
The reform which is underway for the past two and half years is promising having challenges.
Ethiopia started experiencing democratic system nearly for three decades. The democratization process of in our country aimed at widening the political space is on the right track but still much effort remained in implementing the democratic system well. The process should be continued strongly so as to build strong and democratic state as the process of ensuring democracy on the ground is at infant stage so far.
The ruling party tried its level best in building democratic institutions and is toiling for holding a free and democratic election. The postponement of election due to the corona virus pandemic has been among the challenges the country faced with.
The election must be carried out in line with schedule and postponing election will create more problems. As we have witnessed the pandemic by itself brought many problems to the country, he said.
There is wrong and decisive intention from political parties’ side to undermine the unity of the country and imped the path for democratic dialogue.
Supremacy of rule of law is among the main thing which is crucial to conduct election and requires the responsibility of all individuals. Both the ruling and opposition parties have to discharge their responsibility in building democratic state through dialogue and others means.
Polarizations of ideas and extremism will lead us nowhere. Joining hand is preferable to build democratic and prosperous state make our country better and safer place to live in.
Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (Ezema) Secretary General Abebe Akalu for his part said that political parties should properly fulfill the legal requirements set by the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) before the election. Above all, the role of the government is crucial in creating conducive environment for the political parties.
The elections have been usually marred with accusations and controversies and others related problems. The opposition political parties and some civil societies raise questions on the independence of the NEBE and its administration of elections. The previous five elections are full of one party’s dominance, he said.
“Unlike previous elections, the upcoming election will be crucial so as to get out from ill-fated elections nearly for the past three decades. As it was said I expect that the 2021 national election will be historical for our country and it will be a hallmark for democracy. On the other hand, to undertake free, fair and democratic election, institutions which preside over the election must be independent and neutral”.
The highly expected and historic election, which will be held on the heels of the reformed critical democratic institutions in Ethiopia over the past two and half years, is noted as the most consequential election in helping Ethiopia’s democratization journey.
He said that the board is well prepared to conduct transparent election which is acceptable by the people. The law enforcement process is the responsibility of the government and this will create conducive environment for opposition parties to promote their ideas to the public.
The election should be conducted according to the timetable set by the board. Postponing election will put the country into danger. In this regard, all concerned bodies the security, attorney general, political party leaders, election board, civic societies, and other relevant bodies should discharge their responsibility for successful and fair election, he noted.
The Ethiopian Herald December 5/2020
