Elections in Ethiopia

At the federal level, Ethiopia elects a legislature. The Federal Parliamentary Assembly has two chambers: the Council of People's Representatives ("Yehizbtewekayoch Mekir Bet") with 527 members, elected for five-year terms in single-seat constituencies; and the Council of the Federation ("Yefedereshn Mekir Bet") with 117 members, one each from the 22 minority nationalities, and one from each professional sector of its remaining nationalities, designated by the regional councils, which may elect them themselves or through popular elections.

Ethiopia is a one party dominant state in that a coalition, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), dominates politics. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.

Elections were first held in Ethiopia under the provisions of the current constitution in June 1994 to elect the membership of local governments; under the Constitution of 1995, general elections have been held in 1995, 2000, and most recently in 2005.

Latest elections

2005 General election

Parliamentary elections took place on May 15, 2005, with a reported 90% turnout. Human Rights Watch has accused the Ethiopian government of stifling political dissent and criticism in Oromia, Ethiopia's most populous region. The government has denied these allegations, and cited the occurrence of an opposition rally attended by 250,000 people on May 8 as an example of political freedom in the country.

Provisional results were scheduled to be announced on May 21, and official results June 8; however, due to hundreds of claims of election irregularities from all political parties involved, the provisional results were delayed until June 8 to allow the complaints to be fully investigated. On August 9, official results were released, acknowledging that the ruling EPRDF had won 296 of the total 524 seats - about 56 percent - enabling it to form a government. However, Berhanu Nega, vice-chairman of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, had criticized the process, claiming that "The investigation process was a complete failure. Our representatives and witnesses have been harassed, threatened, barred and killed upon their return from the hearings." [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=48533&SelectRegion=Horn_of_Africa&SelectCountry=ETHIOPIA] Repeat elections were scheduled for August 21 in 31 areas where either irregularities were reported or results were challenged. Additionally, general elections in the Somali Region were held on August 21.

On September 5, the NEBE released its final results, in which the EPRDF retained its control of the government with 327 seats, or 59 percent of the vote. Opposition parties won 174 seats, or 32 percent of the vote. The CUD alone won 20 percent of the vote. [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=48905&SelectRegion=Horn_of_Africa&SelectCountry=ETHIOPIA]

Past elections

ee also

* Electoral calendar
* Electoral system

External links

* [http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/e/ethiopia/ Adam Carr's Election Archive]
* [http://africanelections.tripod.com/et.html African Elections Database]
* [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=47024&SelectRegion=Horn_of_Africa&SelectCountry=ETHIOPIA "Rights group accuses gov't of suppressing opposition" - UN IRIN News]
* [http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/17/news/ethiopia.php International Herald Tribune Election Coverage]
* [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=48905&SelectRegion=Horn_of_Africa&SelectCountry=ETHIOPIA Ruling party named winner in final result of disputed poll] , IRIN, 5 September 2005