- Title: ETHIOPIA: African Union chief observer endorses Ethiopian election
- Date: 27th May 2010
- Summary: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (MAY 26, 2010) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS WAITING FOR PRESS CONFERENCE TO START (SOUNDBITE) (English) AFRICAN UNION CHIEF OBSERVER, PRESIDENT SIR KETUMILE MASIRE SAYING: "The African Union Commission sent an Observer Mission to Ethiopia for the country's legislative elections from 16-28 May 2010. The deployment of the Mission is in keeping with the AU declaration on the principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, adopted by the heads of state and governments of member states in July, 2002. The principles, among others, affirm that democratic elections are the basis of authority of any representative government and constitute a key element of the democratisation process and therefore are essential ingredients for the rule of law, maintenance and promotion of peace, security and stability in the continent." WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) AFRICAN UNION CHIEF OBSERVER, PRESIDENT SIR KETUMILE MASIRE SAYING: "In conclusion, the African Union Observer Mission to the legislative elections in Ethiopia concludes that (a) the overwhelming voter turnout indicated outstanding mobilisation and sensitisation by the NEBE, political organisations and other stakeholders. (b) Conditions existed for voters to freely express their will. (c) The Ethiopian legislative elections were organised and conducted in accordance with the constitutional and legal provisions and the rules and regulations governing the conduct of elections in the country and were largely consistent with AU guidelines and standards for the conduct of democratic elections. It is recognised that 2010 Ethiopia's legislative elections reflected the will of the people. The AU Observer Mission congratulates the people of Ethiopia for their peaceful conduct and active participation in the electoral process." WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 11th June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ethiopia
- Country: Ethiopia
- Topics: International Relations,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVADD1IXJ17NYYC27KGTQ8VE5UR4
- Story Text: A day after an electoral body said the ruling party had won the majority seats in parliament, the head of African Union mission charged with overseeing the election on Wednesday (May 26) welcomed the peaceful conduct and active participation by the people of Ethiopia.
The African Union was the first organisation to directly endorse the outcome of the process after an European Union observer mission said the election was marred by the EPRDF's use of state resources in campaigning, putting the opposition at a disadvantage ahead of the vote, but said this did not necessarily mean the count itself was invalid.
The United States also said Ethiopia's election failed to meet international standards and called for stronger democratic institutions in the country, a key U.S. ally in Africa.
"The African Union Commission sent an Observer Mission to Ethiopia for the country's legislative elections from 16-28 May 2010. The deployment of the Mission is in keeping with the AU Declaration on the principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, adopted by the Heads of State and Governments of member States in July 2002. The principles, among others, affirm that democratic elections are the basis of authority of any representative government and constitute a key element of the democratisation process and, therefore are essential ingredients for the rule of law, maintenance and promotion of peace, security and stability in the continent," AU chief observer President Sir Ketumile Masire told a news conference in Addis Ababa.
Earlier opposition parties said two of their supporters were killed in Ethiopia's Oromia region.
On Tuesday (May 25) thousands of ruling party supporters streamed into a square in Ethiopia's capital to celebrate a peaceful election win for Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and to reject opposition and rights groups accusations of vote rigging.
The EPRDF crushed the eight-party opposition coalition known as Medrek in Oromia, the country's most populous region and traditionally a stronghold for opponents.
The AU representative said the overwhelming voter turnout indicated and outstanding mobilization and sensitisation by the electoral body; conditions existed for voters to freely express their will and congratulated the people of Ethiopia for their peaceful conduct and participation.
"In conclusion, the African Union Observer Mission to the Legislative Elections in Ethiopia concludes that: (a) The overwhelming voter turnout indicated outstanding mobilization and sensitisation by the NEBE, political organizations and other stakeholders. (b) Conditions existed for voters to freely express their will. (c) The Ethiopian Legislative Elections were organised and conducted in accordance with the constitutional and legal provisions and the rules and regulations governing the conduct of elections in the country and were largely consistent with AU guidelines and standards for the conduct of democratic elections. It is recognised that 2010 Ethiopia's Legislative Elections reflected the will of the people. The AU Observer Mission congratulates the people of Ethiopia for their peaceful conduct and active participation in the electoral process," Masire added.
The United States regards Ethiopia as a crucial ally in the fight against hardline Islamism in the Horn of Africa, and has provided some $4.7 billion in aid to the country between 1999-2009, including $862 million in 2009, according to State Department figures. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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