Major
Parties sign Electoral Non-Violence Pact
14
May 2005
Four political parties have publicly pledged to promote
a peaceful election by signing a non-violence agreement
ahead of Sunday’s federal and regional polls.
In
the non-violence pact sponsored by the National Electoral
Board of Ethiopia, the signatories agreed that they
would not engage in electoral violence and would peacefully
resolve their differences. The text of the pact was
drafted in conjunction with Electoral Reform International
Services (ERIS) which is giving technical advice to
the NEBE under an international donor support programme.
The
ruling Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic
Front (EPRDF) joined the Tigri Worgi Nationality Democratic
Unity Party and the Oromo Liberation National Party
in signing the document on 12 May 2005 at NEBE headquarters.
Today, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD)
also signed the document.
The
chairman of the NEBE, Kemal Bedri, reiterated his
call for all parties contesting the forthcoming elections
to abide by purely peaceful means.
“I
am happy that two major parties have signed the pact
and I expect others to come and sign it even after
election day because it will serve for other elections
to come. The process has started, the major parties
have set an example and we invite the others to come
as well,” he said.
The text of the pact is as follows:
Ethiopia Electoral Non-Violence
Pact
The parties in this pact, (i.e. political party leaders
and candidates seeking elected offices)
Considering
that electoral violence is a violation of universally
accepted human rights and a violation of the constitution
of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,
Aware
that such violence is untenable and an abrogation
of the democratic rights of Ethiopians,
Cognizant
that such violence can lead to loss of life, liberty,
human dignity and damage and destruction of property,
Concerned
that such violence should not be allowed to occur,
Realizing
that we are obligated to strive for the promotion
and observance of electoral peace,
Agree
upon and undertake to adhere to the following principles:
1. I shall, at all times, and in all places, in word
and in deed, promote the aim of a peaceful election.
2.
I shall not directly or by proxy or membership, engage
in any form of electoral violence, which is any act
that causes harm to an individual or group of people,
or damage to property, that results in influencing
electoral choices or outcomes.
3.
To peacefully resolve our differences or other disagreements
between and among ourselves.
Name:
Signature:
Party:
Date
