After two days of closed door meeting, Executive Committee of Ethiopia’s ruling coalition passed a decision to conduct national election as planned
borkena
August 12, 2019
The executive committee of Ethiopia’s ruling coalition, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), disclosed on Friday last week that the national election will take place as planned.
The party’s decision came amid increasing calls from political pundits and opposition groups for postponement of the election.
There were voices even within the ruling coalition, according to social media source who claim to have insider information, who would like the election to happen in an environment free from major security concerns.
The security situation in the country is one of the major reasons for those who were calling for an extension of the national election date.
From a recent incident in Sidama zone of South Ethiopia, among other regions, the security situation in the country has become a major problem to the point that it has overpowered regular law enforcement units as the government had to mobilize members of the Defense force.
In Sidama zone, the government had to impose a state of emergency like situation on grounds of the security crisis in the region.
Parts of Oromo regional state, especially those areas adjacent to South Ethiopian People’s Nations and Nationalities Region, are not entirely free from security concerns.
In late July 2019, the United States embassy in Addis Ababa issued what it called “level 2 security” alert for its citizens living in Ethiopia. The alert advised U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to Somali region of Ethiopia- and regional authorities were not too happy about it.
On the other hand, there had been a political struggle within the ruling coalition regarding the national election.
Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) treated the talk to postpone the election as “an attack on the constitution” and had been mobilizing its support base in Tigray, North Ethiopia, against possible Federal government move to postpone the election.
Last month, TPLF issued a statement in which, apart from calling ADP to take responsibility for the June 22 killings of top government officials in Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa, it called upon the Federal government to disclose its stand regarding the national election.
National election matter became one of the key agenda items when the executive committee of the ruling coalition held a meeting last week. And as it turns out, the committee ignored security concerns and decided to conduct the election for the 547 parliamentary seats next year, as scheduled.
While TPLF is celebrating it as a triumph, Ethiopians are still expressing concern if the security situation, aggravated by radical ethnic nationalism, is ideal for it.
Join the conversation. Like borkena on Facebook and get Ethiopian News updates regularly. As well, you may get Ethiopia News by following us on twitter @zborkena
There will always be a security concern whether now or later……regardless of that the Election should proceed as planned. Postponement of election should never be considered an option as TPLF recomended and EPRDF concluded…….Selah
Strange Amhara elite?
Under normal circumstance citizens of any nation demand, demonstrate, lobby and fight nail and tooth for election to take place on time but we are witnessing a very weird Amhara elites who are lobbying for postponement of their democratic right or dictatorship. My advice to the pro postponement or cancellation of election and the constitution is the leave Ethiopia and move to the only country on earth without constitution or election; Eritrea.
Why would a government that failed to maintain law and order/ peace and security be allowed to extend its rule?
Borkena,
Try to be neutral and professional journalist. What we need in Ethiopia right now is just peace and harmony not singling out one society and party and creating a mess on the top of the problem we are facing daily base.
You mentioned TPLF on your Election news and do not understand your implication when you say TPLF is celebrating. To extend national election is not as such you are thinking unless you modify the Constitution. I guess, before your post your news, i will advise you to sit and re read what you are posting. Thank you
Daniel
You must be assuming that there is no distinction between TPLF and Tigray. If not, your “singling out one society and party and creating a mess on the top of the problem we are facing daily base” makes little or no sense.
TPLF demanded the federal government in public ( not in the closed door) to make its stand clear on the election. And party did so (of course no major difference between EPRDF as a party and the Federal gov.t). And yes, TPLF won in this case and the party can not be sad about it.
I think what you have to know is that there is no as such disinterest in holding an election. The problem is security. Election in itself requires a major security arrangement.
who wrote this? what an stupid statement TPLF celebrate, they should be commanded for asking firmly election to be held
I’m a Canadian ‘ferengi’ who lived in Addis from 1995 to 2003. It makes me really sad to see so much violence. Can Ethiopia have a multi-party state *without* all out war? Pray for peace. Salem!
The decision to make election by a single party shows what democracy means in Ethiopia. ( a very effective way to stop the on going democratic change )This country have a constitution at least 40% of the population was not represented. All decisions made by a single party is binding. The message to me is you have to agree with EPRDF or…,,
Kindly borkena stop cheap propaganda …ethiopian are yearning for election..they want to remove failed goverment of abiy..and replace with democratic goverment..we support elections..
TPLF is more interested in keeping their looted billions and avoiding accountability & responsibility to it’s crime committed for the last 27 years. 6% of TPLF administration has no chance in fair ,free and democratic election.