Ethiopian election: Polling stations open for voting

Pollings stations opened in Ethiopia on Monday as Prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s ruling Prosperity Party is widely expected to cement its hold on power.

The voting began in the capital, Addis Ababa soon after the expected start time of 6 am (03:00 GMT) with voters in face masks wrapped in blankets against the pre-dawn chill. Electoral officials were checking IDs against the register as part of measures against COVID-19 and verification. Polls will close at 6pm (15:00GMT).

Aljazeera reporter noted that “the electoral commission has increased the number of polling stations across the country to avoid large crowds from gathering at polling centres to reduce the risk of spreading COVID but also to hasten the voting process.”

It is official that the party that wins a majority of seats in the House of Peoples’ Representatives will form the next government and as of the moment, close to 40 million people have registered to take part in the national and regional parliamentary elections.

But in a fifth of the country’s constituencies, Ethiopians won’t be able to cast their vote, as a result of insecurity and logistical issues. In 64 of them, the vote was pushed back to September 6th. But officials have yet to set a date for Tigray’s 38 constituencies.

The elections, which were delayed twice since last year, are now contested by members of the opposition, with some accusing Ethiopia’s ruling party of harassment, manipulation and threats of violence, that echo abuses of the past.

Abiy is facing growing international criticism over the war in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, sparked in part because Tigray’s now-fugitive leaders objected to Ethiopia postponing the election last year while citing COVID-19. No date has been set for voting in Tigray’s 38 constituencies.

Tigray’s former leaders, who are fighting Ethiopian forces and those from neighbouring Eritrea, have reported fierce new combat in recent days. Ethiopia’s defence forces have called the fighting challenging because of the rough terrain. Thousands of civilians have been killed in what observers describe as a drawn-out guerrilla war.

Meanwhile, outbreaks of ethnic violence have killed hundreds of people in the Amhara, Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz regions in recent months.

International concern has been growing about the election. The U.S. has said it is “gravely concerned about the environment under which these upcoming elections are to be held,” and the European Union said it will not observe the vote after its requests to import communications equipment were denied.

In response, Ethiopia said external observers “are neither essential nor necessary to certify the credibility of an election,” although it has since welcomed observers deployed by the African Union. The United Nations secretary-general has noted the “challenging” environment and warned against acts of violence.

“It is our duty to remain united and not the government’s,” one resident of the capital, Eskedar Teklegiorges, said over the weekend as hundreds of police officers paraded in a show of force ahead of the vote.

Security forces were deployed in the capital city, Addis Ababa and in the country, to ensure a peaceful election and this was emphasised by a number of citizens who expressed their optimism about the elections and the future of Ethiopia.

“No matter who wins, we want peace,” said 25-year-old jobseeker Mirkuz Gashaw.

“As a citizen, I hope our country prospers and grows,” said first-time voter Etsubdink Sisay, 18, who was lining up with her mother.

“I believe this election will shine a light of democracy on Ethiopia. As a young Ethiopian, I (have) hope for the future of my country, and believe voting is part of that,” said Yordanos Berhanu, a 26-year-old accountant at the head of a queue of hundreds.

Once votes are counted, national MPs will elect the prime minister, who is head of government, as well as the president – a largely ceremonial role.

Suzan O/AFN/AJZ