THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL BOARD OF ETHIOPIA (NEBE)

Official Results of the 23^rd May 2010 General Election

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia conducted fourth round general election in all over the country on 23 May 2010 in a legal manner ensuring the sovereignty power of the people.  The general election was conducted to the House of Peoples Representatives and Regional State Councils.  It was characterized by high voter turnout, and orderly conduct of the Election Day proceedings. The election was peaceful, credible, fair, free, and democratic.

All the results of the general election are to be declared on 21 June 2010 as per the formal timetable of the Board.

In accordance with the Amended Electoral Law 532/2007 Article 76 (5), The Board had publicized formal provisional results earlier from all Constituencies dealing with:

• Seats to the House of Peoples’ Representatives
• Seats to the nine Regional State Councils

The provisional results were announced by the NEBE through the Local and International Medias on 24, 25 and 27 May 2010.

The Board has assessed the results of the general election in detail on its 149^th urgent meeting held on 18 June 2010 ensuring that

• All the results of the May 23 General Election have been received from all over the country

• Decisions have been given to all Complaints lodged by contending political parties according to the law

Thus, the Board approved the results unanimously and decided to announce to the nation on 21 June 2010 as per its previous formal timetable.

The results of the 2010 General election are declared as follows: PDF

Political parties say they accept election results, congratulate EPRDF (May 31, 2010)

Some 14 political parties in Addis Ababa said they accept the election results and respect votes of the public. The parties also conveyed congratulatory message to the EPRDF.

EDP on its part wished winner of the 4th national elections a successful five-year term.

According to a joint statement the 14 political parties made at Sheraton Addis in the capital, they will respect public vote as the national elections was held in a peaceful and democratic manner.

CUD, ONC, AEDP, AENM, EVP and EDUM, among others, are some of the parties, which made the statement.

The parties said in their six-point resolution that though there were some problems in some areas during the 4th national elections, they will respect public vote, as the problems would not bring about basic change on the election result.

The parties urged other political parties to respect votes of the public and contribute share in the efforts to maintain peace and build democracy in the country.

They also condemned violence as it hinders the democratization process and development of the country. Read More

The ruling party, Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF) is leading the 4th national elections by winning 499 of the 547 federal parliamentary seats, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) Chairperson announced here late on Tuesday.

In a news conference he gave here today, the Chairperson, Prof. Merga Bekana said partner parties on their part won 35 seats, according to provisional results reaching the Board.

He said EPRDF won the election with a majority vote winning 499 seats.

According to Prof. Merga, EPRDF won 38 seats in Tigray, 137 in Amhara, 178 in Oromia, 122 in South Ethiopia Peoples State and 22 seats in Addis Ababa.

EPRDF partner parties on their part won 8 seats in Afar states, 2 seats in Benishangul Gumuz, 2 seats in Gambella State while winning 21 seats in Somali State, according to the provisional election results reaching the board.

He said EPRDF won one seat in each of Harari state and Dire Dawa City Administration while its partners won the rest.

Prof. Merga said Forum had won only one seat in Addis Ababa while a private contender won one seat in South Ethiopia Peoples State.

He indicated that the Board has not received the result of 1 constituency from Amhara, 7 constituencies from Bensihangul Gumuz, 1 constituency from Gambella and 2 constituencies from Somali states.

Prof. Merga thanked the public at large, election contending political parties, religious leaders, governmental and non-governmental organizations for helping make the 4th national elections successful, free, peaceful, fair and credible.

Coalition of Ethiopian Civic Society Organizations (CSOs) disclosed that the 4th National Elections held throughout Ethiopia has been free and fair in any standards.

Briefing local and foreign reporters here on Monday, Coalition Chairperson Tadele Yimer said election observers of the coalition witnessed that the process of the national elections was peaceful, free, fair, democratic, and up to the international standards.

The chairperson said the Coalition will present detailed and comprehensive report to public on the overall process of the national elections after the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) announces the status and the results of the elections.

Yimer said observers of the coalition confirmed that the pre-election, balloting, and post-election processes were carried out as per international standards and norms.

He said endorsement of relevant election guidelines and laws, extension of voters’ registration period, government’s financial subsidy to contesting political parties for the first time in the history of the nation, provision of free airtime and column to parties as well as scheduling street-canvassing close to the balloting day indicated that the national elections were indeed free, fair, and democratic.

The European Union Election Observers Mission in Ethiopia said the process of election in Ethiopia is going on smoothly.

Mission Head, Tijis Berman made the remark while giving a press conference he gave here on Thursday after visiting pollling booths set in different part of the country.

He said his mission had confirmed that all the necessary elections materials had reached polling stations set up in the city.

Berman said the observation of the EU mission in the election would help develop democracy in Ethiopia.

Voting concluded successfully: NEBE (May 23, 2010)

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) announced that voting for the 4th national elections concluded in stable and peaceful manner.

In a press statement NEBE said more than 90 per cent of the 32 million eligible voters across the nation have already voted in more than 43,000 polling stations until 6 PM.

The board said the public has been attentively following the election process through its observers.

It said electorates were telling Media that voting process was democratic, transparent and peaceful.

According to the board some 63 political parties and 31 private candidates have also following the election process through their representatives.

The board said it received confirmation from the representatives and watched through media that the voting process is said to be free, fair and peaceful.

Distribution of sufficient election materials among all constituencies has been finalized in the country, Electoral Board Office said

The Office said that election materials necessary for the May 23, 2010 elections reached at all polling stations.

The Office said vote cards, ballot boxes and other documents are among the materials that already reached at the constituencies in the country.

No accredited foreign election observers’ mission except AU, EU: Ministry (May 14, 2010)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that government has not accredited any foreign election observers except the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) observers’ missions to observe the 4th national elections.

According to a statement of the Ministry, the AU and EU are two of the three foreign organizations, which accepted invitation of the Ethiopian government to observe the elections. More

Religious Leaders Urge Political Parties To Strive To Make The Election Peaceful, Democratic (May 13, 2010)

Religious leaders called up on political parties to make maximum efforts to make the 4th national elections peaceful, fair and democratic.

In a meeting held at the assembly hall of the National Electoral Board in the presence of representatives of all political parties, the religious leaders said political parties have the responsibility to make election fair and free.  More

EPRDF path meant to ensure dev’t, democratic: Addis Ababa Youth League (May 9, 2010)

Youths in Addis Ababa said they came to realize more than ever the democratic and development paths of EPRDF are meant to ensure sustainable and speedy development.

Addis Ababa EPRDF Youth League Office organized an election mobilization forum held at Addis Ababa Stadium where more than 25,000 youth attended.

EPRDF introduced 23 of its candidates who compete for federal parliaments in Addis Ababa City Administration.

EPRDF capable to maintain peace, democracy speed up dev't: Azeb (May 7, 2010)

TPLF Central Committee Member, Azeb Mesfin said EPRDF is a party, which is capable to maintain peace, speed up development and further strengthen democracy in the country. More than 3000 Tigray women living in the capital discussed with Azeb on issues related to participation of women in the election and development activities as well as their role and contribution in the armed struggle against the Derg Regime.

Azeb said on the occasion that Tigray women and the public in the region should cast votes for EPRDF, which ensured development, peace and democracy in the country.

 

Four Political Parties Say Undertaking Election Campaign Freely (April 18, 2010)

Four political parties said they have been campaigning freely for the forthcoming national elections in border woredas of Borena Zone in Oromia State freely.

AEUP, Forum. KPDU and OPDO told ENA over the weekend that they are campaigning independently and freely in the woredas ahead of the next May national elections.

They said they are introducing their candidates to the public with out facing any pressure.

Meanwhile, all political parties with the exception of Forum have formed a joint consultative council.

AEUP ,Public Relations Head, Mohammed Abdi Nur, KPDU Head, Regasa Gawle and OPDO Head, Chanyalew Faj said their parties are working together to make the election fair and democratic.

EU To Dispatch Its Election Observation Mission In Ethiopia (April 13, 2010)

The Ethiopian government and European Union signed here on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding concerning Observation of the May 2010 national elections in Ethiopia.

The agreement was signed by Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin and European Union Delegation Head, Ambassador Dino Suinigallia.

Speaking on the occasion, Seyoum said he was pleased to welcome the decision of the European Union to accept the invitation of the Ethiopian government to deploy an election observation mission.

Seyoum said the European Union is a valued development partner to Ethiopia. “We have a wide scope of cooperation and dialogue with the European Union.

The MoU the two sides have signed would allow EU to deploy an election observation mission to operate on the basis of the laws of Ethiopia, accepted international standards and the European Union Election Observation Methodology.

Seyoum noted: ”We are hopeful that the EU Election Observation Mission that will be deployed to observe the upcoming election will make all possible efforts to ensure that the problems witnessed in the 2005 election associated with the then European Observation Mission is not repeated.,”.

Election observers say election process running peaceful, democratic  March 23, 2010

 

Election observers in North wollo and Gondar Zones of Amhara State said the election process so far is peaceful and democratic.

The observers said registration of voters and candidates were carried out peacefully. They also said ongoing campaigning process is being conducted with out any problem.

Election observers in North Gondar and Wollo zones who go by the names Abebe Ayele, Birhane Gebrehiwot ,Arega Kelikay ,Nigatu Yimer said the active participation of voters during the registration period was encouraging .

The registration process was peaceful and carried out as per the schedule set by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, they said. They called on public to use its right for casting as it did during the registration.

 

9 political parties form joint council, March 22, 2010

 

Nine political parties contesting in the upcoming national elections in East Shoa Zone and Adama Town, Oromia regional state have formed a joint council, zonal election coordination office said.

The office told ENA that the parties established the council to make the forthcoming elections free, peaceful, democratic and credible.

The parties have also set up a committee consisting five members to prepare statute as per the election code of conduct governing political parties.

Political parties say joint council significant to make upcoming elections peaceful March 22, 2010

Political parties contesting in Amhara regional state said the joint council, which they have formed will significantly contribute in the efforts to make the forthcoming national elections peaceful.

Leaders of ANDM, EDP and AEUP told ENA that they will contribute share in the ongoing efforts to make the elections peaceful, fair and democratic.

They said the council is significant to all parties in particular to enable the public vote for a party preferred.

The leaders also said they have been offering training on the election code of conduct governing political parties to members and supporters of the parties.

 

Number Of Voters Registered iExceeds That of 200 National Elections by 3 million  (March 4, 2010)

The number of voters registered across the nation to cast votes in the forthcoming national elections is greater than that of registered in the 2005 election by three million, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia disclosed here on Thursday.

Board Chairperson, Prof. Merga Bekana told ENA on Thursday that according to data received so far, 29 million voters have been registered across the nation, though the board has not received the figures from all constituencies.

The number of voters registered in the 2005 national elections stood at 25.6 million with the exception of the Somali State.

AEUO, EPRDF joint investigating committees confirm allegations of AEUO baseless(March 2, 2010)

The joint investigating committees of All Ethiopia Unity Organization (AEUO) and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) have concluded that most of the complaints filed by AEUO in connection with implementation of the electoral code of conduct were baseless.

EPRDF Public and Foreign Relations Department Head, Sekoture Getachew, told  journalists here today that EPRDF has been striving hard for the free, fair and democratic conduct of the upcoming fourth national elections.

He said EPRDF has therefore taken measures that expand the political space in the country on the basis of the proclamation for the electoral code of conduct for political parties which was prepared, negotiated and ratified by political parties.

Political parties hold televised debate (March 2, 2010)

Six contesting political parties here on Monday held their 2nd round political televised debate on topics of federalism and decentralization in Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (Forum), the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), All Ethiopian National Movement (AENM) and Berhan for Unity and Democracy (BUD) parties took part in the debate.

The parties said on the occasion that they accept in principle that federalism is a system that suits the real situation in Ethiopia. However, they reflected differences in their stands on the initial structure and implementation of the system.

The AENM, EDP and CUD debated that federalism based on language and ethnicity will not go further. They argued federalism should be based on geographical location rather than ethnicity.

More

7 political parties sign agreement to make upcoming elections peaceful  February 12, 2010

Seven political parties contesting in Bahirdar Town and West Gojjam Zone of Amhara regional state have signed joint agreement to make the upcoming election peaceful, democratic and credible.

The parties signed the agreement in Bahirdar Town on Monday in the presence of religious leaders, elders and party observers.

The parties agreed to hold the election in peaceful manner in accordance with the Elections Code of Conduct law for Political Parties.

The agreement enables the public vote for parties they prefer.

More than 800,000 voters have been registered in Addis Ababa  February 12, 2010

More than 800,000 voters have been registered in Addis Ababa City until Thursday to cast votes in the forthcoming national elections, the Metropolitan Electoral Office said.

The Office told ENA on Friday that 816,134 voters have so far been registered in 1,700 polling stations established in the city.

About 382,327 of the voters are reported to be women. More than 30,000 voting cards have been distributed among the polling stations as the number of voters is on the rise.

There are 1.3 million eligible voters in the Addis Ababa City alone.

Association urges youth to actively take part in national elections  February 11, 2010

Amhara State Youth Association said it has been striving to encourage members to actively take part in the upcoming national elections.

Executive board president of the association president, Zemene Kassie told ENA on Wednesday that his association has been providing a series of awareness-raising orientations to youth on election and election related topics.

The orientations aim at encouraging the youth across the regional state toward electing political candidates of their preference as well as to be elected in the coming national elections.

Over 24.9 mln voters registered across nation: NEBE February 10, 2010

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said a total of over 24.9 million voters have been registered across the country until Jan. 6, 2010.

NEBE deputy head, Ermias Assefa told ENA that over two million additional voters' ID cards were distributed following the high turn out of electorates.

He said so far 45 political parties have fielded 1,401 candidates for parliamentary seats and 2952 nominees for regional councils.

Ermias said 36 independent candidates are registered to compete for seats in the parliament while ten others for regional councils.

He said NEBE is establishing polling stations in some parts of Oromia , Amhara and South Ethiopia peoples' States owing to the increased number of electorates.

More than 32 million eligible voters are expected to be registered for the elections, according to NEBE

NEBE prepares code of conduct for int’l election observers February 9, 2010

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said it has prepared code of conduct and working procedures for international election observers.

NEBE Chairperson Prof. Merga Bekana said the directive implicitly states the legitimacy of the election would be approved by the rule of law and the people of the country.

He said the direction was prepared to enable election observers to discharge their responsibility in accordance with the rule of law , election law.

The code of conduct of the directive incorporate international practices and invaluable knowledge gained at last national election.

The directive clearly states by whom the election observers are invited, procedures while they are on duties and how they could give comments, among others.

It also acknowledges the contribution of the role of election observers.

Registration of candidates extended for additional 20 days: NEBE (February 1, 2010)

Ethiopian Election History

National Elections in Ethiopia began in the 20^th Century. In July, 1935 Emperor Haile Selassie granted a Constitution that asserted his own status, reserved imperial succession to the line of Haile Selassie, and declared that ‹‹the Person of the Emperor is sacred, his dignity inviolable and his power Indisputable.››

Elections During the Reign of Emperor Haile Selassie

1931 - 1936 (Prior to the Italian occupation)

The first Parliament was established in 1931.

• 1.     It was bi-cameral i.e. the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

• 2.     The chamber of Deputies constituted members chosen by the Emperor, the nobility and the aristocrats.

• 3.     The Senate was composed of members of the nobility, the aristocracy, ministers, Distinguished Veterans and Commanders noted for their long Service.

• 4.     The number of the members of the two houses was equal.

• 5.     The term of the Deputies to the Chamber was 15 to 20 Years.

The Parliament established After 1941 (Post Italian Occupation)

• 1.     There was no change in structure from the previous arrangement. The elders used to meet at the district level and elect the landed aristocrats as members of the senate.

• 2.     The election to the Chamber of Deputies was proclaimed in the revised constitution of 1955.

• 3.     There were five elections between 1955 and 1974.

• 4.     Both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate were the legislative bodies.

• 5.     The number of Deputies reached 250 and the Senate 125 at the end of their mandate.

• 6.     Members to the Chamber of Deputies in the last assembly were mostly from the highly paid segments of the civil Service, Feudal lords and rich merchants.

Election During the Dergue (Military Junta)

• An assembly of councilors consisting of 60 members selected from various government Institutions and provinces was established in October 1974. The mandate of this assembly lasted until 1975.

• The rule of the Dergue was socialist oriented.

• The people were organized in various associations to elect their representative. There were direct and indirect modalities of elections.

• Members to the various posts of leadership were elected only from the rank of followers and supporters of socialism. No other group was eligible.

• A uni-cameral assembly or the National Council (the Shengo) with 835 members was established in 1986.

• The 'Shengo' was structured at the national, autonomous and the regional administrator levels with a five-year term.

Election in The Federal Democratic Republic Of Ethiopia (FDRE)

The Transitional Government of Ethiopia

• The EPRDF toppled the Dergue through Popular armed struggle and established a Transitional Government (TGE) in 1991.

• The Transitional Government consisted of political organizations and National Liberation Movements that endorsed a Transitional Charter in June 1991.

• Elections of members to the Chambers of regional states and Woreda (district) Councils were conducted in 1992.

• The National Electoral Commission, accountable to the House of Representatives, was established through Proclamation No. 11/1992.

• The mandate of the National Electoral Commission terminated after the election of members of regional and zonal councils.

• The Ethiopian National Electoral Board was established, as a free and neutral institution, based on proclamation No. 64/1993.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE)

•  The government has a Federal Structure.

• There are two Houses. The House of People's representative and the House of the Federation.

• The House of People's Representatives has 547 members, elected for a term of five Years.

• The House of the Federation is composed of representatives of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples. It has 112 members elected for a term of five Years.

• The Regional State Councils elect the members of the House of Federation.

• Each nation, nationalities and peoples is represented in the house of the Federation by at least one Deputy.

The Fourth Elections of Deputies to the House of People's Representatives and State Councils May 2010.

General note on the Election:

• 1.     The Elections will be conducted to elect members of the house of People's Representatives and State Councils.

• 2.     A total of 547 constituencies and around 43,500 polling stations are in place to conduct Elections throughout the Country.

• 3.     More than 90 political organizations have registered and have been provided with legal certificates by the Ethiopian National Electoral Board.  Among these political organizations 23 operate at the National level, while the remaining 56 organizations function in the regional states.