Ethiopia – Politics - Election 2010

Ethiopian political parties sign “historical” agreement for 2010 elections


APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The Ethiopian ruling party and the three main opposition parties signed late on Friday in Addis-Ababa a “historical” agreement aimed at conducting the upcoming national election in a peaceful manner.

The Electoral Code of Conduct agreement was signed after two months of negotiation.

The ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), All Ethiopian Unity Organization (AEUO), the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP) and the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) were the parties to the discussion.

Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi sat for the first time with the opposition parties to sign the agreement, which makes the signing an historical event.

The electoral code of conduct, prepared by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), deals with election campaigning, voting and party symbol guidelines, peaceful acceptance of election results as well as the use of the state media.

The representatives of the parties, including Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi, vow to peacefully participate in the election.

Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi of EPRDF, Hailu Shawel of AEUO, Lidetu Ayalew of EDP and Ayele Chamiso of CUD signed the agreement.

The national elections will be held on 15 May 2010.

It should be recalled that the victory of the EPRDF in the 2005 elections was highly controversial.