Press Release (April 11,2005)

Parties’ joint forum proves instrumental in resolving complaints, says NEBE Chairman

Chairman of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), Kemal Bedri said the recently formed joint forum of parties contending the upcoming elections has proved effective in seeking solutions to complaints lodged with the Board.

Kemal told a press conference held at the NEBE’s Headquarters yesterday (April 11) that the Board together with members of the forum, has been investigating alleged violations of the rights of candidates and their supporters in various parts of the country. He said decisions had been issued in some cases, while others are being examined by the Board.

Asked whether the Board was responding equally to complaints put forth by the ruling party and the opposition, Kemal said the NEBE has so far considered and given immediate decisions in a number of cases, most of them submitted by opposition parties.

Commenting on the recently issued directive on accreditation of local observers, the Chairman said organizations that would like to observe the elections are required to be impartial and produce evidence that observing elections is one of their objectives in their statutes. “This is meant to ensure that only independent and interested domestic organizations are observing the elections. This directive  is not intended to prohibit a particular body from observing elections,” stated Kemal.

"Some NGOs have partisan attitudes towards some political parties", he said, and adding that it is the responsibility of the NEBE to make sure that election observers are fully independent.

With regard to the cash value allocation to political parties and independent candidates, Kemal said each political party and independent candidate would receive a cash value allocation of 400 US Dollars, which will be provided in kind. As decided by donors and NEBE, the amount allocated to independent candidates should be used for printing posters and fliers by one of the three printing enterprises appointed by NEBE, he added.

At the press conference, The Chairman and other officials of the Board also responded to questions related to registration for the elections of university students, measures taken against wrong doing election officers as well as the report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRC).