Election observers ready for more open poll

The Ethiopian Human Rights Congress has trained 130 election observers for the 14 May elections in which voters will choose a federal parliament, nine regional assemblies and council members for the capital and the eastern city of Dire Dawa, according to a press statement. It is only the second time Ethiopians have had such elections, previously held in 1994 and dominated by candidates from the ruling EPRDF (Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front) and surrogate parties. News agencies report that opposition parties have been given a unique chance to campaign and broadcast this time.

According to the National Election Board, slightly more than 20 million of an estimated 29 million eligible voters, in a population of some 61.7 million, have registered, the Associated Press agency (AP) reported. Election ballots, leaflets, ballot boxes and other requirements had been distributed throughout the country, some by donkey and camel, according to state media. Diplomatic sources told IRIN that elections in Somali Region 5, affected by drought and floods, were expected to be postponed for up to six months, although there has been no official announcement to that effect.

Elections in Somali Region 5 were also postponed in the 1994 elections.