ADDIS ABABA- Preparations that have been carried out to the successful conduct of the 6th General Election are aligned with core democratic principles of freedom, fairness and independence thereby giving ample opportunity to contending political parties, Donga People’s Democratic Organization (DPDO) said.
DPDO Deputy Chairman Leggese Lamango told The Ethiopian Herald that preparations that have been made for the forthcoming elections are more democratic than the five sham polls the country witnessed during TPLF-dominated EPRDF regime. The government had tried its best level to create a plain field for all political parties in terms of budget and air time allocation which enabled the electorates to make rational decisions.
Noting the organization’s involvement in the previous five polls, Leggese indicated that this year’s election process has demonstrated the independence of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia and government’s commitment to hold free, fair, and credible elections.
“This year’s election would be the beginning to lay foundation for democracy and commence the exercise of democratic governance. DPDO believes in the unity of Ethiopia and Ethiopian people and stands to serve the peoples interest, he said. This year the election process is proceeding with better freedom, fairness and democratic systems which encourages holding democratic election” he accentuated.
Since the reform activities undertaken by National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, government and other stakeholders have opened the floor for running democratic elections, his party prioritizes peace and peaceful struggle to assure the peoples benefits and respond to the people’s quest.
As part of the reform activities, parties have got opportunities to freely express and run election campaign as everyone witnessed but it does not mean that there are no limitations, he noted adding that it is to say the changes made are promising compared to the previous election process.
Donga people have a population of over 350 thousand who inhabit in Hadero Tunto Woreda, Kembata Tembaro Zone of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples State. DPDO has been striving to address the Donga people’s self-administration and development quests. Donga people have very limited access to infrastructure like roads, schools, health centers and development issues.
Hence, we are working to address these challenges in a fair and equitable way, he said. Even though there are two rivers in their vicinity they are not benefiting the people due to mal administration. Hence, DPDO has planned to install irrigation activities and enable the people to produce mass production.
BY MULATU BELACHEW
The Ethiopian Herald May 26/2021
