DATE=5/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ETHIOPIA ELECTION
NUMBER=2-262337
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=ADDIS ABABA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: It is election day in Ethiopia, a country that
is in the middle of a massive military campaign
against neighboring Eritrea. As
VOA's Scott Stearns reports, voters turned out to
elect both national and regional officials.
/// OPEN WITH POLLING STATION MUSIC ESTABLISH AND FADE
///
TEXT: Voters in the capital gathered outside polling
stations listening to the radio, waiting for news on
the latest round of fighting in
their border war with Eritrea. The conflict has had
little impact on this election. Opposition parties
support the government's offensive against Eritrea.
Bigger campaign issues are economic reform and changes
in land ownership.
The outcome of the vote is a foregone conclusion. Only
half the federal seats are being contested and many of
those races are against groups that already support
the ruling party. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's party
may get less than the 85 percent of the seats they
hold now, but they will continue to run Ethiopia.
It is the country's first contested election as most
opposition groups boycotted the last vote five years
ago. This time they have had
greater access to state media and have appeared
alongside ruling party candidates in public debates.
There is also a fund to underwrite some of their
campaign expenses, paid for by foreign embassies.
That is not to say the election has been flawless.
During voter registration earlier this year, some
opposition candidates and supporters
were arrested without charge in the southern
provinces. They were later released, but some have
continued to complain about official intimidation.
Mekuria Gebremariam is running for parliament with the
opposition Hadiye National Democratic Organization, a
party that is part of a larger opposition coalition in
the south. He says they have had trouble getting
permission to hold public rallies.
/// MEKURIA ACT ///
To have a meeting, we have to ask for permission from
the local government. The local government members,
they are also
candidates of the ruling party.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Mekuria credits Ethiopia's electoral commission
with trying to create a level playing field for this
vote, but he believes its
powers are ultimately limited by the ruling party.
/// SECOND MEKURIA ACT ///
As much as possible, the electoral board has tried to
help us, but I think it is beyound their capacity.
/// END ACT ///
Electoral commissioner Assefa Biru Tessema says
nothing is beyond the board's capacity. He says they
have worked hard to resolve differences behind the
scenes so as not to poison the spirit of democratic
elections.
/// ASSEFA ACT ///
How could we conduct fair and free elections unless we
have got that power? We have the necessary power to do
that. We do it through resolving disputes amicably. We
have the power, but we do it very amicably. People
don't see it. It is not announced and so on, but we
resolve our cases most of the time the way we want it.
/// END ACT ///
Comissioner Assefa has 90-thousand election monitors
throughout the country along with observers from local
civic groups and
foreign embassies. If there is evidence of fraud in
any of the constituencies, Mr. Assefa says he will
order another vote.
/// SECOND ASSEFA ACT ///
If anywhere any election process is a bit tarnished we
redo it again. If there are seriouis flaws in the
process, we will do it.
/// END ACT ///
Political observers say opposition groups may do
better in regional elections where the ruling party is
fielding more than one candidate in each constituency.
A good showing there could generate momentum for local
council elections in October.
(SIGNED)
14-May-2000 06:36 AM EDT (14-May-2000 1036 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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