Ethiopia: a two-speed ballot between the regions and Addis Ababa
A line of people waiting to vote during the regional and national legislative elections in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 21, 2021. © BAZ RATNER / REUTERS
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3 min
In Ethiopia, the local and national legislative elections were held on Monday, June 21 after being postponed twice.
It is a real test for the Prime Minister and favorite Abiy Ahmed.
While the mobilization was strong in the streets of the capital Addis Ababa, irregularities have multiplied in the Ethiopian regions.
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With our correspondent in Addis Ababa,
Noé Hochet-Bodin
The United States and the UN Secretary General had asked political leaders to restrain themselves and avoid any type of violent action during the poll when the environment is worrying.
Since the start of the war in the Tigray region in November 2020, inter-community conflicts have increased in Ethiopia.
The Tigray region did not vote on Monday, as did about 20% of the country, paralyzed by insecurity.
These late constituencies will vote on September 6, 2021 to the extent possible.
In the capital, on the other hand, the ballot took place without a hitch with a high attendance.
This number of voters combined with certain logistical problems forced the electoral commission to postpone the closing of the offices by three hours.
Assault and intimidation in the different regions
In the different regions, however, the process encountered more obstacles.
The opposition parties are complaining about intimidation, attacks and lack of access.
Three parties speak of intimidation and lack of access to polling stations.
A formation from the Sidama region even withdrew from the process at midday after the assault on several of its members.
On the observer side, after the cancellation of the European mission, the African Union was responsible for monitoring the ballot.
At its head, the former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo who declared that the vote "
was much better than the past elections in terms of opening up the political space, despite some handicaps
".
►Also read: Focus - First legislative election since the coming to power of Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia divided
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Ethiopia
Abiy Ahmed