7th Ethiopian General Election Is Less Than a Year Away
Borkena
Toronto – With two major wars raging in the country and alleged government repression against political parties and the media deepening, four major Ethiopian opposition parties are demanding immediate action to address the crisis.
A fair, free, and credible election is the only way to end the cycle of conflict, oppression, massacres, and suffering of the people, the opposition parties declared in a joint statement released on Monday. The All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP), Enat Party, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP), and Amhara Ghionawi Movement (AGM) stated that neither the government nor the National Electoral Board has shown any signs of preparation for the upcoming general election, which is only one year away.
“Free, fair, and credible elections require a level playing field, and conditions directly or indirectly linked to them must show signs of improvement and gradually be perfected,” the parties noted in their statement.
The opposition groups argue that the current situation in Ethiopia is not conducive to holding elections, particularly emphasizing the deteriorating security conditions. They highlighted that safely returning home has become rare and referenced the ungovernable state of the Tigray region, as well as the ongoing conflicts in Amhara and Oromia.
“Due to the lack of security and the pressures of daily survival, people are forced to see elections and similar events as a luxury—not as a means to vote out those they reject and bring their preferred leaders to power,” the statement read.
The parties also raised concerns about harassment by government security forces, demanding an end to arbitrary measures that restrict their ability to meet supporters and hold discussions.
Another key issue addressed was media monopoly. The opposition called for equitable media access and an end to one-sided pro-government propaganda. Regarding independent media outlets, they urged the government to cease intimidation tactics.
Additionally, the parties demanded the expansion of democratic space for civil and political institutions, as well as the presence of international election observers from the earliest stages of the electoral process.
They also opposed the reported move to replace current Electoral Board members with new appointees, arguing that the existing board—despite its limitations—has gained valuable experience from past elections. New members, they contended, would lack the capacity to oversee elections effectively within months of their appointment.
In closing, the parties issued the following demands to the government:
Transparency on Election Preparations: The government and the Electoral Board must publicly disclose ongoing preparations for the upcoming election.
Conflict Resolution & Peaceful Competition: The ruling party must de-escalate violence, resolve ongoing conflicts through inclusive negotiations, and create a peaceful environment for political competition.
Media Freedom & Civic Rights: Ensure free and fair media access, grant greater freedom to civic organizations, reduce oppression, and allow election observers to monitor the process from the outset.
Retain Experienced Election Board Members: Allow the current board to oversee the 7th national election rather than replacing them prematurely.
Release Political Prisoners: Free all political detainees to ensure the effectiveness of peaceful political struggle.
The opposition also urged Ethiopians to treat the next election as a matter of life and death—a critical opportunity to steer the country away from its multifaceted crises—and to pressure the government to align with the necessary steps to resolve the nation’s challenges.
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