Press Release from NEBE

Ethiopian 4^th General election will be held tomorrow starting at 6:00 AM. Preparations have been successfully completed. All materials required for balloting have been successfully distributed to each polling station. All stake holders have been equipped with the necessary skill to promptly discharge their planned duties. Since tomorrow is a polling day; no one is allowed to come in to the polling station wearing signs of any political parties. Similarly, any weapon and election document that might heart election process is strictly forbidden and any campaigning activity is strictly forbidden anyone who moves against this will be held accountable.

The NEBE has prepared a conducive and an enabling environment for standard election to take place in a free, fair, peaceful and democratic manner. Voters have expressed their vigor interest through different media that they are ready to cast their vote at the stipulated time. Therefore we would like to forward our call that all actors should respect voter’s decision.

Finally, we would like to urge all voter to avail themselves in the polling station starting form 6 am in the morning to 6 pm in the evening to cast their vote fully in line with their constitutional right and vote for whomever they want. Simultaneously, we would like to urge all contending political parties to refrain themselves from any activity that might affect the legal freedom of voters.

They are also urged to avail there poll watchers in each polling station starting from 4: 30 am. According to the mandate given to NEBE by the Amended Electoral Law Proclamation No 532/99, the Board will announce provisional result starting from may 24. Therefore, the Board would like to call upon our nation to attentively follow this announcement.

Finally, we forward our kind call for all contesting political parties and the general public to accept the judgment of the public with the bottom of their heart and be read to respect the ballot and work with the winner. In case, there is any grievance, they shall bring to the attention of the Board through the legal proper channel.