Ethiopia
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes
Source: NEB Election Manual Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments Unofficial Consolidated Version
Last updated: 2007-09-10 11:40:22 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
a. "Equality" of population
b. Respecting natural barriers
c. Compactness of constituencies
d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
e. Geographic size of district
f. Communities of interest/cultural concerns
Source: NEB Election Manual
Last updated: 2005-05-07 10:19:39 UTC
Direct Democracy
DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Dr. Ludeki Chweya
b. Job Title: Research Associate
c. Organisation: African Centre For economic Growth ACEG
d. Contact Address. p.o box 1559,00600 Nairobi
e. Telephone: + 254 20 374 709/3754540/0721 421 866
f. Facsimile: + 254 20 375 45 41
g. Email: aceg@aceg.org
Last updated: 2005-04-05 08:04:20 UTC
DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?
a. not applicable
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD126 What restrictions or controls, if any, are there on media coverage of the campaign and/or issue during the relevant period?
a. not applicable
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD127 What restrictions, if any, apply in relation to the individuals who can sign for a recall?
a. Signatories must be registered
Source: http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:1Gi9Q08tThwJ:www.waltainfo.com/Election/Election_Eng/09%2520English%2520NEBE%2520Regulation%2520No%25202%25201999.pdf+ethiopia++recall+elections&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Last updated: 2005-08-18 10:08:47 UTC
DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level?
Date (yyyy)
e. Recall 1999
Source: National Elections Board of Ethiopia regulation No. 2/1999
Last updated: 2005-08-18 08:19:17 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
e. Recall 1999
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
d. Not applicable
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
d. Not applicable
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:19:25 UTC
DD19 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
d. Not applicable
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:19:25 UTC
DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
d. Not applicable
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:42:09 UTC
DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
Source: article 54(2),53(7) 61(3) Ethiopia constitution.
Last updated: 2005-08-18 08:30:43 UTC
DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
k. None
Comments: not applicable
Source: article 54(2),53(7) 61(3) Ethiopia constitution.
Last updated: 2005-08-18 08:31:41 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
d. Not applicable x
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
d. Not applicable x
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD43 When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
d. Not applicable
Source: NEB election manual
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:55:21 UTC
DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?
a. no restriction
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD70 If a separate ballot to replace an individual who has been recalled takes place, how soon after the recall ballot is it held?
a. not more than three months
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD72 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
e. Not applicable X
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD73 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
e. Not applicable X
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD74 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
e. Not applicable X
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
DD75 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
e. Not applicable x
Last updated: 2007-09-12 10:08:52 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Ethiopia National Electoral Board
b. Full Address P.O Box 40812 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
c. Telephone Tel.: 251-1-51 04 00 251-1-51 22 25 251-1-65 49 71
d. Facsimile Fax: 251-1-51 22 25
f. Website Address http://www.electionsethiopia.org/Electoral%20System
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Kemal Badri (Chairman)
h. Information Officer Getahun Amogen Belay Tel.: 251-9-64 37 38
Last updated: 2005-08-15 11:59:32 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
b. Regional level
c. Local level
Source: Election Law of Ethiopia 2005 (Proclamation No 438/2005)
Last updated: 2007-09-05 13:18:46 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature
g. Other
Comments: the NEB (to prepare and submit its budget and utilize same upon approval)
Source: Election Law of Ethiopia 2005 (Proclamation No 438/2005)
Last updated: 2007-09-05 13:41:34 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
g. Other
Comments: the NEB (to prepare and submit its budget and utilize same upon approval)
Source: Election Law of Ethiopia 2005 (Proclamation No 438/2005)
Last updated: 2007-09-05 13:41:34 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years
Comments: 6 renewable years
Source: Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments Unofficial Consolidated Version
Last updated: 2007-09-05 13:41:34 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
Last updated: 2007-09-05 13:18:46 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: 25,605,851 people registered in 2005
Last updated: 2007-09-05 13:18:46 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
d. Indirectly elected by legislature
Comments: The house of representatives shall nominate the candidate for President
Source: chapter 7 article 70(1) Ethiopia constitution.
Last updated: 2007-08-29 13:19:16 UTC
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
c. Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: Appointment is done by 2/3rds majority vote of the joint meeting of the House of peoples' Representative and House of Federation.
Source: Chapter 7 Article 70 (2) Ethiopia constitution adopted 1994.
Last updated: 2007-08-29 13:15:46 UTC
ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes
Comments: The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is the Head of State
Source: Chapter 7 Article 69 Ethiopia constitution.
Last updated: 2007-08-29 13:15:46 UTC
ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
b. Two chambers
Comments: Council Of people's representative Council of federation
Source: Chapter six Article 53 Ethiopia constitution.
Last updated: 2007-09-04 09:09:16 UTC
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
a. Plurality (FPTP)
Source: Chapter six article 54(1), (2) of Ethiopia constitution
Last updated: 2007-09-04 09:09:16 UTC
ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
Last updated: 2007-08-29 13:10:48 UTC
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
a. Part of Constitution
Source: chapter 11 article 102(1) Ethiopia constitution. Election Law of Ethiopia 2005 (Proclamation No 438/2005)
Last updated: 2007-09-05 13:03:58 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
b. Regional elections
e. Other
Comments: A member of the House may, in accordance with law, lose his mandate of representation upon loss of confidence by the electorate.
Source: article 54(2,7), 61(3) Ethiopia constitution.
Last updated: 2007-09-05 12:09:40 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Comments: 8 Sub- Article (1) of Article 16 is deleted and replaced by the following new Sub- Article (16): “16/ Any Ethiopian who is 18 or more years old on the date of registration shall be eligible for registration as an elector, provided, however, where suspicion arises as to whether the age of the registered elector has attained 18 years of age, it shall be determined by the testimony of senior member of the family or relative or in the absence of a senior member of a family or relative, by any other person who has a knowledge about it.”
Source: Election Law of Ethiopia 2005 (Proclamation No 438/2005)
Last updated: 2007-09-05 13:03:58 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Dr. Ludeki Chweya
b. Job Title: Research associate
c. Organisation: African Centre For Economic Growth-ACEG
d. Contact Address: p.o box 1559,00606 Nairobi
e. Telephone: +254 20 3754541/3754540/0721421866
f. Facsimile: + 254 20 375 45 41
g. Email: aceg@aceg.org
Last updated: 2005-05-13 10:08:17 UTC
ME09 In your opinion, which of the following types of media in your country have a public reputation for being independent?
a. Public radio
Source: committee to protect Journalists country report( 1998) http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:0sQ0pQKbWvUJ:www.gret.org/parma/uk2/ressource/edm/pdf/ethiopie.pdf+ethiopia+media+status+report&hl=en
Last updated: 2005-05-07 12:43:35 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster?
Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
a. T
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?
a. a
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
a. a
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Comments: "The mode of utilization shall be in accordance with the allocation made by the ministry of Information jointly withe the Board"
Source: NEB Election Manual Consolidated Election laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendment
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:59:42 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Comments: not regulated.
Last updated: 2005-05-07 13:28:14 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
a. ......... unspecified
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
b. None x
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
a. Yes, in presidential elections
Source: http://www.ethiopiafirst.com/news1.html
Last updated: 2005-05-07 13:50:34 UTC
ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?
a. ......... n
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:42:07 UTC
ME62 What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
g. Not applicable
Comments: "..., the Board shall forthwith uissue an official declaration ..."
Source: Consolidated Election laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendment
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:47:31 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
c. Regional distribution requirement
e. Minimum number of candidates
Source: Proclamation No. 82/1994 (Proclamation to Provide for the Amendment of the Political Parties Registration Proclamation)
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:29:29 UTC
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
c. Regional distribution requirement
e. Minimum number of candidates
Source: 1993 Law on Registration of Political Parties (Proclamation 46/1993)
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:39:58 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
c. Country of birth
d. Residence
f. Registration
Source: 1993 Law on Registration of Political Parties (Proclamation 46/1993)
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:46:09 UTC
PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
Source: Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments
Last updated: 2005-05-07 10:53:50 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
f. Not applicable
Source: Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments
Last updated: 2005-05-07 10:56:18 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect
Comments: . Without prejudice to sub-article 2 of this Article, a political party may, upon the approval of the Government or the national/regional self-government, collect money from the precedes of such events as bazaars and the like organized on non-permanent basis to enhance its financial position.
Source: Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments
Last updated: 2007-09-12 08:46:09 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
f. Not applicable
Source: Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments
Last updated: 2005-05-07 11:03:59 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Source: article no.38(1) in definition of procedure for electoral execution and determination 1994. 1993 Law on Registration of Political Parties (Proclamation 46/1993) (Note: This Law was amended by Proclamation 82/1994)
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:35:03 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
d. By request
e. Court order
Source: NEB Election Manual Consolidated Election laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendment
Last updated: 2007-09-12 09:35:03 UTC
Voter Education
VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
h. Political parties/ candidates
i. Media
Source: NEB Election Manual Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments Unofficial Consolidated Version
Last updated: 2007-09-10 13:07:25 UTC
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
a. Continuously
Source: NEB Election Manual
Last updated: 2005-05-07 10:41:17 UTC
Voting Operations
VO02 Is there a code of conduct for election officials?
a. Yes
Source: NEB Election Manual
Last updated: 2005-05-07 10:28:23 UTC
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Source: article 28 in definition of procedure for electoral execution and determination 1994.
Last updated: 2005-04-04 08:05:06 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
g. Other
Comments: g) no provision.
Source: article 31 in definition of procedure foe electoral execution and determination 1994.
Last updated: 2005-04-04 08:06:03 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
g. Not applicable
Source: article no.31 in definition of procedure foe electoral execution and determination 1994.
Last updated: 2005-04-04 08:06:50 UTC
VO06 Can people vote in advance of the designated national election day(s)?
a. No
Source: article 31(1) in definition of procedure for electoral execution and determination 1994.
Last updated: 2005-04-04 08:07:45 UTC
VO07 If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), how may they do so?
f. Not applicable
Source: article no.31(1) in definition of procedure foe electoral execution and determination 1994.
Last updated: 2005-04-04 08:08:36 UTC
VO08 If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), specify who:
g. Not applicable
Source: article no. 31(1) in definition of procedure foe electoral execution and determination 1994.
Last updated: 2005-04-04 08:09:29 UTC
VO09 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
a. Yes
Source: article no.30(1) in definition of procedure for electoral execution and determination 1994.
Last updated: 2005-04-04 08:10:25 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
a. Yes, the maximum capacity is: No maximum
Source: article no. 30(1) in definition of procedure for electoral execution and determination 1994.
Last updated: 2005-04-04 08:11:37 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Source: article no. 33(5) in definition of procedure for electoral execution and determination 1994.
Last updated: 2005-04-04 08:12:34 UTC
VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
Comments: unspecified
Source: NEB Election Manual
Last updated: 2005-05-07 10:31:12 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Comments: Any Ethiopian who is 18 or more years old on the date of registration shall be eligible for registration as an elector
Source: Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments
Last updated: 2007-09-10 13:14:45 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
Source: Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments
Last updated: 2005-05-07 10:25:50 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: National Elections Board
Source: article no. 5(3) in definition of procedure foe electoral execution and determination no.64/1994. Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments Unofficial Consolidated Version
Last updated: 2007-09-10 13:14:45 UTC
May 20, 2008 07:18 AM
