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How Ready is Ethiopia for June 2021 Polls?

As Ethiopia prepares for elections on June 5, 2021, the European Union has announced that it is cancelling its upcoming election observation mission to the country. High Representative Josep Borrell said Ethiopian authorities would not agree to key parameters of the election observation mission. The Ethiopian ministry of foreign affairs has reacted by saying it is disappointed by the decision, which had come as a surprise.

Deutsche Welle reports that the elections were originally supposed to be held in August 2020, but were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party is facing off against ethnic parties based in various regions of Ethiopia. Ethiopia faces a political and humanitarian crisis in its restive Tigray region, in the northern part of the country. In November 2020, a group called the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked several Ethiopian military bases in Tigray. The TPLF claims Abiy Ahmed's rule is illegitimate, since elections were postponed. Ahmed characterised the attacks by the TPLF as "treason" and ordered a military offensive against the group. The Ethiopian government has been accused of ethnic cleansing in Tigray, although it denies the allegations.

Ethiopia: Election Expected to Deepen Rifts

DW, 11 May 2021

Ethiopians will vote in June to elect a new parliament. But electoral registration is patchy and opposition parties plan to boycott the ballot. Experts fear that simmering ethnic… Read more »
Ethiopia: Nation At a Democracy Crossroads Ahead of Elections in June

Daily Maverick, 5 May 2021

Ethiopia's Covid-delayed elections take place on 5 June 2021. But the country has a fraught history when it comes to democratic elections. A free and fair election will transform… Read more »
Ethiopia: U.S. Senators' Call for Postponing Ethiopian Election Foolish - Lawrence Freeman

Ethiopian Herald, 9 May 2021

The call five United States Senators made to the U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman for the postponement of Ethiopia's forthcoming General Elections… Read more »
Ethiopia: Two Underground Cells Plotting to Disrupt Election Foiled, Authorities Say

Addis Standard, 6 May 2021

The joint intelligence and security task force comprised of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), the Federal Police… Read more »
Ethiopia: EU Cancels Its Planned Deployment of Electoral Observation Mission to Ethiopia

Addis Standard, 3 May 2021

The EU High Representative Josep Borrell said the block has canceled the deployment of its planned electoral observation mission to Ethiopia. Read more »
Ethiopia: Govt Disappointed After EU Withdraws Election Observers Over 'Communications Equipment'

Addis Standard, 4 May 2021

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia said in a statement that "Ethiopia has learnt with disappointment" the EU's decision to cancel its planned election observation mission… Read more »
Ethiopia: Validity, Legitimacy of Election to Be Determined Solely By Ethiopians - Ministry

ENA, 4 May 2021

While external observers could add some value to strengthen the quality of electoral processes, they are neither essential nor necessary to certify the credibility of an election;… Read more »
Ethiopia: Court Sustains Right of Hararis Outside the Region to Vote for National Assembly Members

Addis Standard, 27 April 2021

The Federal Supreme Court rejected a recent decision by the National Electroral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) to disallow Hararis living outside the Harari Regional State to vote for… Read more »