Ethiopia’s rights body, election board and security officials trade conflicting views over polling-site, interference and campaign access concerns before June 1 elections.
Security officials, the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are at odds over the contradictory findings of their respective assessments of preparations for the seventh national elections.. The Rights Commission presented its assessment of the proceedings ahead of the June 1 vote to election and security officials on Thursday.. The Commission deployed 55 teams to 1,007 polling stations in highly contested constituencies and those that have seen the
most complaints from political parties, voters, and candidates.. The assessment, which did not cover Tigray, uncovered a number of glaring issues that sparked debate and contention from the meeting’s participants, which included NEBE officials, regional security heads, police chiefs, and representatives of the Political Parties Joint Council.. Among the concerning findings was the establishments in police stations, inside military camps, and alongside liquor stores.. “Some polling stations are in areas prohibited by law.. In some
areas, more than one polling station is duplicated.. Some polling stations are located where they cannot be seen clearly,” said Mekdes Amenu, civil and political rights director at EHRC, who presented the findings.. Election officials argued that some polling stations are sited in police barracks, not police stations.. They also stated stations located in and around military camps are legal, and are intended for the use of voters in the ENDF.. As for the liquor
store accusations, officials said they were taking measures.. The Commission also found that the location of some polling stations does not match with GPS data provided by the Board, citing such cases in Ambo, West Shewa.. Election officials said GPS coordinates are only available for around half of the 49,000 polling stations set to host voters in a few weeks.. The major bone of contention during the meeting, however, was alleged interference from security and
government officials, and members of the ruling party, in election preparations.. “Security forces and members must refrain from involvement in the election process.. Government officials must refrain from interfering in the election process,” the Commission recommended based on its findings, though it declined to specify instances of interference.. “We recommended security officials and government officials should refrain from interfering in the election process.. But this does not mean they are interfering now.. For instance, when
the ruling party rallies, some police members might join.. That is human nature and individual incidents.. We do not include such individual incidents in this report.. For instance, in some cases, security officers also might proceed to detain some individuals.. At such points, we interfere, explain the issue and tell them to release them.. Such issues happen due to lack of awareness,” said Berhanu Adello, EHRC chief.. “In general, we are not hiding any findings..
There is nothing we hide from the public in fear of anyone.. We are not secretive.. We will give all evidence of this finding to NEBE, but not to political parties.” The Commission did, however, note gaps in the equal treatment of political parties, citing opposition party complaints about a lack of resources and access to constituents.. “For instance, EPRP [Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party] was denied rallies and campaigns in Addis Ababa.. EPRP also planned
to conduct rallies in 10 other cities and towns, but was denied,” read documents from the presentation.. The Commission notes that the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party’s plans for rallies in Dawro Zone met a similar fate, and so did campaign efforts from the Benishangul People’s Freedom Movement, the Freedom and Equality Party, and ONLF.. Opposition parties also say they are being denied their right to use public spaces.. On the other hand, the report found
that the citizens were pushed to join rallies organized by the ruling Prosperity Party in places like Mizan Tepi.. Election officials say they have facilitated the opposition’s access to public spaces, and attempted to pin the complaints on regional administrations.. The report also noted shortcomings in the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs), 169 of which have been accredited by NEBE to carry out programs on awareness, literacy, and access to information.. “CSOs reported they
are unable to conduct election education and civic literacy activities owing to a lack of funding,” said Berhanu, noting the troubles are linked to foreign funding cuts.. The Commission noted that media involvement in the lead up to elections has been limited.. Response from Security Agencies The heads of several regional peace and security bureaus, police commanders and commissioners, and other senior security officials were present during the discussions on EHRC’s findings.. Kasaye Gemechu of
the Oromia peace and security bureau, said there have been “no major problems.” “We are working hard and making every effort to make sure the election will take place without security problems.. We are protecting and facilitating election kits and materials to arrive safely.. Citizens have registered freely without fear.. We conducted election preparations successfully.. On election day, we are working to ensure the vote takes place without security problems,” said Kasaye.. “We are also
working to make sure all security forces equally serve all parties.. We are making sure security forces in Oromia are neutral.. So far, there is no major problem.” Kasaye stated that over 25 million voters registered in Oromia.. This figure is half of the over 50 million total voters registered, as per the report.. Zerihun Duguma, from the Oromia Police Commission, had another take.. “Oromia is vast.. There are insurgents who are working to make
obstacles so that the election does not take place successfully.. A command post is working hard to counter these peace forces.. There are also social media actors trying to obstruct the election; we are handling them cautiously,” said Zerihun.. EHRC monitoring covered almost all of Oromia, except some parts of Wollega.. Other security officials, including from Addis Ababa, also stated the pre-election process is proceeding peacefully.. “The entire government and the Prosperity Party is working
to ensure a peaceful and democratic election,” said Meles Alemu, an executive member of the incumbent and member of the Political Parties Council.. “We are ready to act on all the gaps mentioned in the EHRC monitoring findings.. All stakeholders must discharge their roles to make the election successful.”
Ethiopia election preparations, EHRC assessment, NEBE polling stations, election interference allegations, polling station GPS data, opposition rally restrictions, security neutrality