Elections in Ethiopia

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Ethiopia
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Ethiopia

President Girma Wolde-Giorgis Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Parliament House of Federation House of People's Representatives Elections in Ethiopia: Parl.: 2005 Pres.: 2007 Political Parties Subdivisions Foreign relations Foreign aid Human Rights
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At the federal level, Ethiopia elects a legislature. The Federal Parliamentary Assembly has two chambers: the Council of People's Representatives (Yehizbtewekayoch Mekir Bet) with 527 members, elected for five-year terms in single-seat constituencies; and the Council of the Federation (Yefedereshn Mekir Bet) with 117 members, one each from the 22 minority nationalities, and one from each professional sector of its remaining nationalities, designated by the regional councils, which may elect them themselves or through popular elections.

Ethiopia is a one party dominant state in that a coalition, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), dominates politics. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.

Elections were first held in Ethiopia in June 1994 to elect the membership of local governments; under the Constitution of 1995, general elections have been held in 1995, 2000, and most recently in 2005.

[edit] 2005 elections

Main article: Ethiopian general elections, 2005

Parliamentary elections took place on May 15, 2005, with a reported 90% turnout. Human Rights Watch has accused the Ethiopian government of stifling political dissent and criticism in Oromia, Ethiopia's most populous region. The government has denied these allegations, and cited the occurrence of an opposition rally attended by 250,000 people on May 8 as an example of political freedom in the country.

Provisional results were scheduled to be announced on May 21, and official results June 8; however, due to hundreds of claims of election irregularities from all political parties involved, the provisional results were delayed until June 8 to allow the complaints to be fully investigated. On August 9, official results were released, acknowledging that the ruling EPRDF had won 296 of the total 524 seats - about 56 percent - enabling it to form a government. However, Berhanu Nega, vice-chairman of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, had criticized the process, claiming that "The investigation process was a complete failure. Our representatives and witnesses have been harassed, threatened, barred and killed upon their return from the hearings." [1] Repeat elections were scheduled for August 21 in 31 areas where either irregularities were reported or results were challenged. Additionally, general elections in the Somali Region were held on August 21.

On September 5, the NEBE released its final results, in which the EPRDF retained its control of the government with 327 seats, or 59 percent of the vote. Opposition parties won 174 seats, or 32 percent of the vote. The CUD alone won 20 percent of the vote.[2]

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'**Summary of the 15 May 2005 Ethiopian House of People's Representatives election results**
Coalitions and parties	Votes	%	Seats
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front Tigrayan People's Liberation Front Oromo Peoples' Democratic Organization Amhara National Democratic Movement Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement			327
Coalition for Unity and Democracy Ethiopian Democratic League All Ethiopian Unity Party United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin Party Rainbow Ethiopia: Movement for Democracy and Social Justice			109
United Ethiopian Democratic Forces Oromo National Congress Ethiopian Social Democratic Federal Party Southern Ethiopia People's Democratic Coalition All-Amhara People's Organization Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party			52
Somali People's Democratic Party			24
Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement			11
Benishangul Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front			8
Afar National Democratic Party			8
Gambela People's Democratic Movement			3
Sheko and Mezenger People's Democratic Unity Organization			1
Hareri National League			1
Argoba Nationality Democratic Organization			1
Independent			1
Total			546