The African Union Observer Mission has released,on May 26, its Preliminary Statement of its observations of the 4th National and Regional election of Ethiopia held on May 23/2010.
Here are the main sections of the report.
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS
1. Campaigns
Even though the official campaign period was still on by the time the AU mission arrived in the country, due to late deployment, they were unable to observe the campaigning. Nevertheless, some of the political parties that the AU Mission observers met expressed dissatisfaction with the general political environment in which the elections were being organized. They alleged that they had not been accorded equitable (media and physical) space and freedom they needed to campaign. However the AU had no way of verifying the allegations.
2. The Preparedness of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE)
The briefing by the NEBE on the 17th May indicated that the Commission had been professional in its handling of the process leading to the elections and in accordance with the law.
It was also evident that the Commission had put in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure that electoral materials were distributed to the polling stations in time to enable the people cast their votes.
3. Polling Day Observations
· All the AU Observer Mission teams deployed in various parts of the country reported that the polling stations visited opened at 6.00 a.m. as is required by the law. The electoral materials were in place and not tampered with. The polling station opening procedures were observed.
· In all the polling stations visited the full complement of the election staff were deployed. The election officials were adequately knowledgeable and established procedures were followed.
· The Mission also noted that there were 5 public observers in all the polling stations. The candidates of ruling party had on-site representatives in almost all the polling stations visited by the AU teams, while in some polling stations candidates of opposition parties had no on-site representatives.
· Domestic observers were also present in almost all the polling stations visited by AU teams. Apart from the AU mission, the European Union observers were also present in the various parts of the country.
· Voter turn-out was remarkably high, with long queues of voters reported as early as 5.30 a.m. in some areas.
· In some of the polling stations where the AU teams observed there were substantial number of spoilt votes.
· The teams also observed that the canvass ballot boxes used were not voter-friendly; the size and the opening were too small.
· The ballot papers lacked adequate security features.
· The voters roll which is hand-written could be open to possible manipulation.
· The (manual) voters’ card, lacked adequate security features.
· The uniform application of counting procedures and the enforcement of existing laws was observed to be lacking in some polling stations.
· The atmosphere was peaceful throughout the country.
Recommendations
· The code of conduct for campaigning should be strictly observed.
· There should be adequate voter and civic education before Election
· The ballot box should be improved upon in order to meet international standards.
· The ballot papers should have security features.
· The voters’ register and voters’ card should be improved to prevent possible manipulation.
· There should be an enabling environment for increased civil society participation.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the African Union Observer Mission to the Legislative Elections in Ethiopia concludes that:
1. The overwhelming voter turnout indicated outstanding mobilization and sensitisation by the NEBE, political organizations and other stakeholders
2. Conditions existed for voters to freely express their will.
3. 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 recognized 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.
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