The European Union has issued its final report on last May's elections in Ethiopia this week. According to the report, the 2005 parliamentary elections were the most competitive elections Ethiopia had experienced, with an unprecedented high voter turnout. However, it said, while the pre-election period saw largely orderly manner, the counting and aggregation process were marred by irregular practices, confusion and lack of transparency.

The report noted that subsequent complaints and appeals mechanisms did not provide an effective remedy. The human rights situation rapidly deteriorated in the post-election day period when dozens of citizens were killed by the police and thousands were arrested, it said.

"Overall, therefore, the elections fell short of international principles for genuine democratic elections. The 2005 parliamentary elections were the third since the introduction of nominal multiparty elections in 1995," it stated, adding that as such, they were an important test of the progress Ethiopia has made towards democracy. According to the report the decision by the EPRDF government to open by the elections to unprecedented competition and international observation was a bold move.

Ms. Ana Gomes, who headed the European Union Election Observation Mission to Ethiopia told news agencies that the final report was meticulously compiled and based on facts. "I hope that the EU report will persuade European, American, African, U.N. and other responsible leaders to reflect on what has been happening in Ethiopia."

Ms. Gomes said, "we have in Ethiopia a ruling class adept of using politically correct rhetoric pretending they want democracy." However, she said, judging from the facts as documented in the report that was not happening.

She credited the government for initially opening up the political space and creating a pre-election environment where the opposition freely discussed its platform. "That is an achievement that should be recognized," she said.

The long-awaited final report indicated that the legal framework for elections guarantees basic freedoms and is generally adequate for the conduct of democratic elections. It noted that however, a number of areas of concern needed to be addressed, including the size of constituencies and restrictions on the number of candidates that can stand in constituency. "Moreover," it added, "the election law is not very detailed on some key aspects of elections, such as counting, aggregation and publication of results. Criminal legislation related to media conduct raises serious concerns."

According to the report, despite the shortcomings in these elections, the high level of participation by the Ethiopian people and the opening of public debate prior to election day marked a significant development towards democracy in Ethiopia, showing the eagerness of citizens to make use of new political freedoms, which should serve as an inspiration for the future.

The EU report recommended that the composition of the National Electoral Board (NEB) should be reviewed; electoral legislation should be more detailed, in particular in relation to important issues such as counting and aggregation, which should be stipulated in the election law; the NEB working procedures should be formalized in an NEB regulation, among others. Regarding the media, the report suggested that freedom of the media needed to be established. "State media, which are paid from public funds, should provide equitable access to all political contestants. There should be a self-regulatory mechanism for media, or, if a press council is established, it should be set up in a way that guarantees its political independence. Reform of the media should be based on broad and inclusive discussion between all stakeholders. The pre-election amendments of the criminal law regarding media issues should be taken off the books," it said.