Ethiopians have voted in elections they hope will increase democratic governance

Ethiopian voters headed to polls on Monday (21 June) to participate in the country’s first multi-party elections in 16 years, which many see as the first test in democratic governance for the incumbent prime minister, Abiy Ahmed. Elections in several constituencies, many of them in the Amhara and Oromia regions, are postponed until 6 September due to electoral irregularities. The dates for elections in the Tigray region are not scheduled yet. 

As many as 9,175 candidates are running for the elections, listed under 47 parties, while 125 individuals are running as independents. There are 547 seats in the Ethiopian legislature.

Abiy said he expected peaceful, free and fair elections. Some analysts, in Ethiopia’s and in the region’s disagreed. 

A station was visited in Addis Ababa by CNN and the team observed a calm atmosphere and some voters said they hoped the country moves in a more democratic direction.

Other observers noted long lines at various stations with violations also being observed in various locations across the country. 

The European Union has not sent an observation mission citing the Ethiopian government’s unco-operative stance towards fulfilling the security and independence requirements of the observer mission. 

EU's special envoy to Ethiopia, the Finnish foreign minister, Pekka Haavisto, said on Monday he hoped the election would help facilitate dialogue on the "poor human rights" situation in Tigray.

Whilst international concern is presently focused on the vote, the poor human rights record, treatment of journalists, and the Tigray crisis are key criticisms of Abiy’s government. A new government is unlikely to be formed until elections are held in all regions. 
 

source: commonspace.eu with CNN (Atlanta) and other sources. 
picture: Voters line up to cast the vote in Ethiopia. (Twitter: @axadletm). 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.