BY BETELHEM BEDLU & LEULSEGED WORKU
Neither the freezing cold weather in the morning nor the intense sunbeam in the afternoon and the heavy rain poured at last never disrupted or obstructed Ethiopians from going to poll stations and cast their ballots.
It was on the crack of dawn of Monday that Ethiopians have started making long lines to cast their vote and decide the future of their country regardless of any differences be it age, religion, gender, status or any other cases.
It was almost in all polling stations that people across the country gathered at their respective polling with firm stance realizing their votes have meaningful impact to decide on the future of the nation.
The elderly people who leaned on their sticks, a pregnant woman holding another baby on her back, the youths and many other individuals were in their polling stations.
Truly, the 6th General Elections were a day that has symbolized true Ethiopianism and upturned the expectation of enemies of Ethiopia and boosts the confidence and trust of its friends. Enemies of Ethiopia were sneaking around to see the fallen Ethiopia. They were looking for all opportunities to disintegrate the nation.
The Elections were their setting and both internal enemies and anti-peace elements were their actors. Unluckily, the scene was totally different from their expectations. Monday was one of the greatest days in Ethiopian history. Every street was calm; every election center was peaceful; Ethiopians while casting their voice were seen immersed with hope of ray and good spirit.
The election was the milestone for the new Ethiopia. Millions of Ethiopians had been casting their voice into the ballot from dawn till 9:00 pm. This is without any force or pressure as it had been the dream of most Ethiopians. The day has exposed the true undemocratic faces of all the tricky five elections that had been conducted by TPLF and its associates.
Despite the heavy rain, Ethiopians had been actively engaged in the election process till 9:00 pm.
Not only the ordinary citizens; but higher government official including the Premier and the President were also out to cast their votes early in that morning.
“Even though the lines are too long and discouraging, we need to consider the ones who stand day and night at the border to ensure our peace and enable us carry out the election freely at the cost of their lives. We might feel hungry, thirsty or even the sun might give us hard time but we have to see the bigger picture and do it for our country,” said Daniel Kibret, an Independent Candidate and who cast his vote in one of the polling stations in the capital.
“It is important to have in mind that when we vote we become role model to our children, teach them to decide for themselves on national matters, and will keep them from remorse for not voting,” he noted.
Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Dr. Eng. Seleshi Bekele on his part mentioned that Ethiopians across the country turned out largely to cast their ballots. The vibe in the polling station was good.
“Putting aside the efforts that were exerted to make the balloting peaceful and fair, the election is one of the indications that Ethiopia will turn out strong despite the challenges and pressures it is in today and its people will stand together. This is what makes the day special.”
He said that there are a number of people who were striving to see a day like this one but fail to see it in reality. Thus, it is important to take all the sacrifice made in to consideration and use the opportunity in resisting and curbing the pressures that the country is in.
As it was witnessed by Addis Ababa City Administration Deputy Mayor, Adanech Abebie, the whole process of the 6th General Election was democratic and so peaceful.
“All the election process is a good sign of hope and true democratization. It is a sign how Ethiopians are well aware of their right and dedication to democracy,” she added.
Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA) Party Leader Prof. Berhanu Nega who ran in the 2005 Ethiopian General Elections and was elected as Mayor of Addis Ababa City, but designated as terrorist and sentenced to death in absentia during years in exile, was one of the candidates in the 6th National Election held on Monday.
Unlike the previous sham elections that the nation held, Prof. Berhanu refers the 6th general election as the first ever credible election which was going peacefully.
“I hope the choice of the voters would be respected. I am not saying there is no problem in these Elections. But, hopefully the problems would not change the outcome,” he said.
Aster Lakew, is a resident in Drie-Dawa City, in eastern part of the country. She believes that democratic election is pillars of modern society. The peaceful and democratic election, the 6th General Elections, that was conducted last Monday is a good sign to this. It is a stepping stone for better and bright future. It signaled as Ethiopia is found in the right path and better days are coming casting out all those evil days.
What makes the sixth general election special is not only the commitment of the society to cast their voice into the ballot, but the dedication of voters to plant seedlings after casting their voice is also something unique and indication of bright hope and togetherness among Ethiopians.
Voters were seen last Monday casting their voice in the ballot with one hand, and holding the seedling on the other hand. This truly signifies a new beginning, a new journey that glorifies Ethiopia.
The past two or more decades were full of treachery. The ruling EPRDF, guided by the TPLF, had been fooling Ethiopians. The term “Democracy” had been used as a pretext to abuse individuals’ and group rights. Justice had been dishonored for the sake of people in power. Election processes were full of tricks.
The Western media that were mostly eager to broadcast sad news have seen reporting the peaceful election process and its true democratic nature. After witnessing the peaceful and democratic process of the election, enemies of Ethiopia were also seen zipping their mouth.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JUNE 23/2021
