Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Addis Ababa (Fides Service)- “The first results show the turnout was far higher than expected. This is a positive sign which confirms the progress of democracy in our country ” say local sources in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, where yesterday Sunday 15 May citizens voted to elect members of a national parliament and eight regional parliaments. Official results from the electoral commission say that 90% of the eligible voters exercised their right.
“Elections were calm, at least in Addis Ababa. From isolated parts of the country there are no precise reports but apart from a few incidents, it would seem that everything went off well all over the country” the sources told Fides.
“The Opposition parties threatened to reject the elections results claiming that there had been serious irregularities in the vote but at the moment it is not clear whether this is an official position or simply the opinion of individual politicians” the sources told Fides.
In fact the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, the main Opposition group, withdrew its threat to reject the election results since cases of fraud were found only in certain parts of the country where it will call for the vote to be repeated.
“International observers from the African Union, European Union, the Arab League and the Carter Centre were quite satisfied with the manner in which the elections took place. Former US president Carter said the vote was regular and that observers would investigate episodes of irregularity lamented by the Opposition” the sources told Fides.
“Ethiopia’s democracy is only 12 years old. This is the third consultation following elections in 1995 and 2000. We can say that this time the Opposition had more space and more possibility to avail itself of the media. This democratic process has been started and it needs help to grow strong” the sources concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/5/2005 righe 32 parole 356)
