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Ethiopia: Opposition Seeks U.S. Support in 'Struggle for Democracy' Members Signed Document Voluntarily - Spokesman

Ethiopia's main opposition, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) is seeking the support and backing of the United States government in its struggle for democracy in the country, its Spokesman said in an interview.

Candidates enter election canvassing, The Ethiopian News Agency (2008)

More than 78,000 candidates running for the upcoming local and by election have begun election campaign in Bale zone of Oromia State, zonal election coordination office announced.

Ethiopia opposition group to boycott local elections, SanDiego.com(2008)

“We are getting out of the whole process. The whole process is an illegal process,” Beyene Petros, leader of the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces, a national coalition of opposition parties, told The Associated Press.

NEBE:Statement by OFDM to boycott elections shameful,The Ethiopian News Agency (2008)

Board Chairperson, Professor, Merga Bekana told journalists on Wednesday that OFDM has not yet notified the board about its withdrawal from the elections.

A year to election, Ethiopia opposition cries foul, AFP (2009)

Still reeling from 2005 polls in which it says it was robbed of victory by the incumbent regime, the opposition is warning that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi will do what it takes to maintain his 18-year-old stranglehold on power.

Ethiopia Opposition alliance gears up for election, Capital Ethiopia (2009)

The growing new opposition alliance, Forum for Democratic Dialogue (FDD), has finalised preparing an outline strategy for Ethiopian election 2010 and members are expected to endorse it shortly.

Ethiopian opposition parties unsure of election 2010, Sub-Sahara Informer (2009)

According to the current timetable by National Election Board, parties are required to have names of their candidates registered until the end of November 2009. Opposition parties on the other hand don’t seem to feel the same way. Many of the oppositions who are planning to take part in the election say they are already facing harassments and ‘undemocratic actions’ being perpetuated on them by the ruling party.

Political parties to engage in a debate on an electoral code of conduct, The Reporter (2009)

The EPRDF has acknowledged that the discussions held with opposition parties had demonstrated that there was a forum for political parties that are campaigning in a peaceful manner. It said that it had been offering constructive suggestions for a relevant discussion on the financing of parties organized by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Accordingly, it is undertaking various activities to hold similar discussions.

Ethiopians must be convinced that there is a meaningful reason to vote, The reporter (2009)

Ethiopia is a young democracy. Its ongoing political evolution is a relatively recent phenomenon which began with the violent collapse of Emperor Haile Selassie’s regime in 1974 and the rise of Marxist derg regime of Colonel Mengistu Haile-Mariam. While Ethiopia’s political institutions like the existence of multi-party legislatures at the federal and regional levels might suggest to some the existence of longstanding federal democratic system, a closer examination reveals a country and political system in transition.

Free and Fair Elections in a Police State, Ethiopian Review (2009)

In his recent widely read analysis, Dr. Negasso flatly declared that there is “no level playing field” in Dembi Dollo, and by implication anywhere else in Ethiopia, to have a free and fair election in 2010.

Ethiopia: Parties sign pact on electoral code of conduct, The Reporter (2009)

After concluding their two-month negotiation this week, four political parties on Friday signed a comprehensive agreement at Sheraton Addis on a joint electoral code of conduct and its implementation guideline. The parties agreed to establish a joint council to handle problems related to election disputes. Forum for Democratic Dialogue (Forum), a group comprising of six parties and two prominent politicians which did not take part in discussions, said it considered the agreement reached between the four parties to be exclusionary

Ethiopian opposition, ruling parties exchange allegations over upcoming elections, VOA News (2009)

Eight Ethiopian opposition parties (the Forum) have accused Prime Minister Zenawi for abusing his power in order to crush opponents ahead of the elections. The Forum also denounced the Code of Conduct, noting that it fails to ensure the fairness of the vote.

Ethiopian election a campaign of intimidation, The Globe and Mail (2009)

This article reports about the political campaign in Ethiopia 6 months before the May 2010 elections. Based on interviews and information from Negaso Gidada, a former Ethiopian President and currently an independent MP, it argues that the ruling party in Ethiopia is becoming more authoritarian as it is trying to prevent dissent and post-election protests similar to those from four years ago.

Ethiopia: Govt Rejects Politicized Food Aid Claims (AllAfrica, 2009)

Earlier this month, Britain's State Minister for Development Gareth Thomas called on Ethiopian authorities to look into the charges that food aid had been withheld from opposition supporters to force them to back the ruling party.

Ethiopia: US official calls for environment allowing all political parties to participate, Reporter (2009)

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East African Affairs, Karl Wycoff told journalists yesterday that he has raised his government’s concerns that an enabling environment should be made for “the participation of the full range of political actors.” “We have something what looks like progress to my eyes, the [electoral code of conduct] and the dialogue that has been established between some members of the opposition and the government. The US supports that. At the same we have made clear to our interlocutors the importance of establishing an atmosphere and an environment in Ethiopia that enables the full participation of the full range of political actors in Ethiopia in a way that would lead to a free and fair elections,” Wycoff said during a press conference that was held at the US embassy in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia: Prominent political figures join UDJ, The Reporter (2009)

During a press briefing at Ghion Hotel Dr. Negasso said, “Today, November 26, I stand here before you with great courage, great pride and great happiness to announce officially that as an Ethiopian whose rights are enshrined in the Constitution I have decided to become a member of the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party.” “In the past few years I have come to understand two things. One is the love and admiration various sections of the society and the country’s nations and nationalities have expressed for me. For me, this love and admiration is a big asset and resource. The second is the realization that a message is being conveyed through this love and admiration namely that it is their wish that I serve the nations and nationalities of Ethiopia equally without discrimination. It is my belief that my decision affirms that I have heard and heed the message of the people,” Dr. Negasso said.

Ethiopia ruling party official says May election will be credible, VOA News (2010)

The ruling Ethiopia People's Revolutionary Democratic Front has recently made a statement in which it ensures the voters that this year's May elections will be free and fair, as the party is cooperating with the opposition parties and international observers have been invited to monitor the elections. This year's poll will be the first after the 2005 disputed elections, in which about 200 opposition partisans were reportedly killed by the police.

EU Considers Observing Ethiopia Election as Campaign Heats Up, VOA News (2010)

A European Union exploratory team is visiting Ethiopia to determine whether to send an observer mission to monitor national elections in May.

Candidate Is Stabbed to Death in Ethiopia, The New York Times (2010)

Aregawi Gebre-Yohannes, an opposition candidate for Ethiopia’s Parliament was stabbed to death at a restaurant, in what opposition leaders said was part of a widening campaign of repression ahead of May elections.

Ethiopian political parties heat up election Campaigning, Sudan Tribune (2010)

As Ethiopia heads toward nationwide election, various contesting political parties have stepped-up their campaigning via print and electronic medias.

Ethiopia: Repression rising ahead of May Elections, Human Rights Watch (2010)

On May 23, 2010, Ethiopians will vote in the first parliamentary elections in Ethiopia since 2005, when the post-election period was marred by controversy and bloodshed.

EU to monitor Ethiopia's elections, Daily Nation (2010)

After a week of diplomatic wrangling, the European Union has agreed to observe Ethiopian elections scheduled for next month. According to the new deal, the EU must employ some of the Ethiopian government rules for election observers. However, the election monitoring team will mainly be guided by the EU guidelines for observers.

Ethiopia: Forum expresses distrust in AU, EU election observers, The Reporter (2010

The Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (Forum) on Thursday said that it does not accept the neutrality of the African Union and European Union Election Observers. "We know how the AU and EU observed previous elections in Ethiopia. This time, too, we will not expect any impartial observation from them," said Beyene Petros, chairman of Forum. Beyene added that his party had no idea as to what exactly the election observers were doing in Ethiopia and that the observers have not made any attempts to talk to any of his party members.

Ethiopia:EU EOM deploys election observers, The Reporter (2010)

The European Union Election Observation Mission to Ethiopia (EU EOM) deployed 90 Long Term Observers (LTOs) to every region of the country on Tuesday April 27, it was learnt. These groups of observers arrived in Ethiopia on April 24 and stayed in the capital city for three days to undergo a series of briefings on various aspects of the electoral process. Out of the total number, 81 were deployed by car while the rest flew to their destination. The mission is working hard to contribute to the democratic nature of the election, Tony Reis, Deputy Chief Observer of EU EOM told The Reporter.

Ethiopia:Fourth national, regional elections due tomorrow, The Reporter (2010)

The fourth national and regional elections are to take place tomorrow after a campaign punctuated by acrimony and bitter recriminations between contesting parties officially drew to close on Thursday.

Ethiopia: NEBE announces preliminary election results, Ethiopian News (2010)

In a press conference he gave on Monday NEBE Chairperson Prof. Merga Bekana said the board has received provisional election results from 75 percent of the polling stations.

Ethiopia electoral board rejects election rerun call, Reuters Africa (2010)

Ethiopia's electoral board has rejected opposition requests for a new election after last month's polls failed to meet international standards for credible elections.

Ethiopia: Supreme Court to hear election challenge, The New York Times (2010)

This article reports on the Ethiopian Supreme Court's decision to reconsider the results of the May 23 elections. The opposition accused the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, of voter harassment and intimidation. The ruling party won 99% of the seats in the parliament.

Ethiopia opposition mounts court challenge to election, Reuters Africa (2010)

Ethiopia's opposition parties have filed an appeal after their case was rejected by the National Electoral Board (NEB). They claim that there was intimidation during the polls held in May.

Ethiopia:21 opposition candidates in East Shoa Zone withdraw from election, The Reporter (2010)

21 opposition political party candidates running for parliamentary and regional council seats in the East Shoa Zone of Oromia Region withdrew from the election. The candidates are from the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (Forum), the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), the All Ethiopia Unity Party (AEUP), the Oromo National Congress (ONC) and Ethiopia Raey Party (ERP).

Ethiopia: Opposition’ parties' appeal for election re-run rejected, The Reporter (2010)

The Federal Supreme Court yesterday rejected the petitions submitted the appeal for re-run by the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (Forum) and the All Ethiopian Unity party (AEUP), contestant parties in the last month’s national and regional election of Ethiopia for a re-run of the elections. Before the case went to court the parties had lodged complaints with the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). However, the board decided that the complaints had no legal grounds and accordingly rejected them.

Election results in Ethiopia, Irish Times (2010)

This article reports on the EU Election Observation Mission in Ethiopia. In last month's elections the ruling EPRDF party and its allies won 545 seats out of 547.

Ethiopian Opposition Fails in Its Final Appeal Against Conduct of Election, Bloomberg (2010)

The Court of Cassation rejected the final appeal by the opposition over the conduct of the May 23rd presidential election. The court said there was no legal grounds to reject decision already made by the electoral board and the Supreme Court.

Ethiopia's Meles sworn-in as PM after May elections, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the nomination of Meles Zenawi as Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Four months after the elections, Meles sworn in as Prime Minister on Monday and will now start to appoint his ministers. The European Union observer mission report is yet to be published, but other international observers said that the election did not meet international standards and that the opposition was highly disadvantaged in the campaign (the opposition coalition eventually won only one seat in the parliament).

Ethiopia: Meles Clashes with EU about Elections Report, VOA News (2010)

Speaking to Ethiopian journalists, Prime Minister Meles described the EU Election Observer Mission report as "useless trash that deserves to be thrown in the garbage". He is quoted as saying the report was not about Ethiopia's election, but was "just the view of some Western neo-liberals who are not happy about the strength of the ruling party".