Ethiopia: An election without a real challenge?
The recently held parliamentary election in Ethiopia has been described as "generally peaceful," despite the exclusion of parts of the country due to insecurity. Ethiopia is Africa's second-most populous country, and nearly 50 million people registered to vote in the June 1 elec
The recently held parliamentary election in Ethiopia has been described as "generally peaceful," despite the exclusion of parts of the country due to insecurity.
Ethiopia is Africa's second-most populous country, and nearly 50 million people registered to vote in the June 1 election. However, insecurity in two of the most populous regions — Amhara and Oromia — saw voting suspended in at least 140 constituencies.
Voting was also suspended in Tigray , the fourth-most populous region, with election organizers citing "unfavorable conditions."
Despite the suspension of votes in some areas, a joint statement by the African Union Election Observation Mission and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) described the election as peaceful.
"The IGAD mission further extends its sincere congratulations to the government and the people of Ethiopia for the generally peaceful and orderly conduct of the electoral process," said Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, Uganda's former vice president and head of the IGAD Observer Mission.
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Wandira-Kazibwe believes the peaceful conduct of the polls puts Ethiopia on path toward "stability, constitutionalism and democratic progress."
There were mixed reactions among political parties on the outcomes on voting day.
