Info

Ethiopia

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Boundary Delimitation

BD001

Delimitation of constituencies

Question:	Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	NEB Election Manual Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments Unofficial Consolidated Version
Verified:	2007/09/10

BD003

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Question:	On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):	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
Comments:
Source:	NEB Election Manual
Verified:	2005/05/07

BD005

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Question:	The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):	d. Boundary Commission
Comments:
Source:	NEB Election Manual Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments Unofficial Consolidated Version
Verified:	2007/09/10

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Electoral Systems

ES001

Head of State

Question:	How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):	d. Indirectly elected by legislature
Comments:	The house of representatives shall nominate the candidate for President
Source:	chapter 7 article 70(1) Ethiopia constitution.
Verified:	2007/08/29

ES002

Head of Government

Question:	How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:	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.
Verified:	2007/08/29

ES003

President

Question:	Does the country have a president?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is the Head of State
Source:	Chapter 7 Article 69 Ethiopia constitution.
Verified:	2007/08/29

ES004

Number of Chambers

Question:	The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:	b. Two chambers
Comments:	Council Of people's representative Council of federation
Source:	Chapter six Article 53 Ethiopia constitution.
Verified:	2007/09/04

ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)

Question:	What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):	a. Plurality (FPTP)
Comments:
Source:	Chapter six article 54(1), (2) of Ethiopia constitution
Verified:	2007/09/04

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Legislative Framework

LF001

Status of Electoral Law

Question:	What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Part of Constitution
Comments:
Source:	chapter 11 article 102(1) Ethiopia constitution. Election Law of Ethiopia 2005 (Proclamation No 438/2005)
Verified:	2007/09/05

LF003

Electoral Law covers

Question:	The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):	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.
Verified:	2007/09/05

LF004

Compulsory/voluntary voting

Question:	Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):	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)
Verified:	2007/09/05

LF007

Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)

Question:	What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):	a. Judiciary b. EMB
Comments:
Source:	Election Law of Ethiopia 2005 (Proclamation No 438/2005) Chapter four
Verified:	2007/09/05

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Electoral Management

EM001

Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:

Name of Institution: National Electoral Board
Website Address: http://www.electionsethiopia.org
	

Source

No Source

Verified

2009/11/03

(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)

EM002

Responsibility of national EMB

Question:	Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):	a. National level b. Regional level c. Local level
Comments:
Source:	Election Law of Ethiopia 2005 (Proclamation No 438/2005)
Verified:	2007/09/05

EM004

EMB budget determined by

Question:	The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):	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)
Verified:	2007/09/05

EM005

EMB expenditures controlled by

Question:	The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):	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)
Verified:	2007/09/05

EM006

Term of EMB members

Question:	The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:	b. For a specified number of years
Comments:	6 renewable years
Source:	Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments Unofficial Consolidated Version
Verified:	2007/09/05

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Voter Education

VE001

Information campaigns performed by

Question:	Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):	a. National Electoral Management Body h. Political parties/ candidates i. Media
Comments:
Source:	NEB Election Manual Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments Unofficial Consolidated Version
Verified:	2007/09/10

VE002

Frequency of voter education programs

Question:	At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:	a. Continuously
Comments:
Source:	NEB Election Manual
Verified:	2005/05/07

VE003

National civic education

Question:	Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):	a. No
Comments:
Source:	NEB Election Manual
Verified:	2005/05/07

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Voter Registration

VR001

Voting age

Question:	What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:	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
Verified:	2007/09/10

VR002

Other voting requirements

Question:	Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Citizenship
Comments:
Source:	Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments
Verified:	2005/05/07

VR004

Body responsible for voter registration

Question:	Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:	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
Verified:	2007/09/10

VR008

Compulsory voter registration

Question:	Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:	it is a right.
Source:	article no. 8 in definition of procedure foe electoral execution and determination 1994.
Verified:	2005/04/04

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Voting Operations

VO003

Electors vote at

Question:	Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):	a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:
Source:	article 28 in definition of procedure for electoral execution and determination 1994.
Verified:	2005/04/04

VO004

Voting outside the country is permitted for

Question:	Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):	g. Other
Comments:	g) no provision.
Source:	article 31 in definition of procedure foe electoral execution and determination 1994.
Verified:	2005/04/04

VO005

Locations for voting outside of the country

Question:	If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):	g. No information available
Comments:
Source:	article no.31 in definition of procedure foe electoral execution and determination 1994.
Verified:	2005/04/04

VO011

Voting method

Question:	How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):	a. Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source:	article no. 33(5) in definition of procedure for electoral execution and determination 1994.
Verified:	2005/04/04

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Parties and Candidates

PC001

Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Signature requirement (specify requirement) c. Regional distribution requirement e. Minimum number of candidates
Comments:
Source:	Proclamation No. 82/1994 (Proclamation to Provide for the Amendment of the Political Parties Registration Proclamation)
Verified:	2007/09/12

PC003

Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Age b. Citizenship c. Country of birth d. Residence f. Registration
Comments:
Source:	1993 Law on Registration of Political Parties (Proclamation 46/1993)
Verified:	2007/09/12

PC008

Independent candidates

Question:	Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):	f. No information available
Comments:
Source:	Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments
Verified:	2005/05/07

PC012

Public funding of parties

Question:	Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):	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
Verified:	2007/09/12

PC015

Basis of public funding

Question:	What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):	f. No information available
Comments:
Source:	Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments
Verified:	2005/05/07

PC017

Private funding of parties

Question:	Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Consolidated Election Laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendments 1993 Law on Registration of Political Parties (Proclamation 46/1993) (Note: This Law was amended by Proclamation 82/1994)
Verified:	2007/09/12

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Vote Counting

VC004

Voters are sorted/counted at

Question:	Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:	a. The polling stations
Comments:
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)
Verified:	2009/11/04

VC011

Conditions for recount

Question:	Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):	d. By request e. Court order
Comments:
Source:	NEB Election Manual Consolidated Election laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendment
Verified:	2009/11/04

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Media and Elections

ME037

Parties receive free broadcast time based on

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	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
Verified:	2007/09/12

ME059

Existence of televised debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	a. Yes, in presidential elections
Comments:
Source:	http://www.ethiopiafirst.com/news1.html
Verified:	2005/05/07

ME062

Blackout period for opinion polls

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	g. No information available
Comments:	"..., the Board shall forthwith uissue an official declaration ..."
Source:	Consolidated Election laws of Ethiopia including 2005 amendment
Verified:	2007/09/12

ME080

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Direct Democracy

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/10/23

DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/10/23

DD004

Optional referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/10/23

DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/10/23

DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/10/23

DD007

Recalls (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/10/23

DD129

Binding referenda

Question:	Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:	a. Always binding
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/10/23

DD130

National referenda deal with

Question:	Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:	b. Only other issues than constitutional changes
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/10/23

DD131

Direct Democracy at sub-national level

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified:	2009/10/23