Ethiopians line up to cast their vote at a polling station in Addis Ababa in 2005 during the third democratic elections. The country goes to the polls on May 23. Photo/FILE
IN SUMMARY
- Ethiopians go to the polls on May 23
- Over 26 million voters register for elections
- Crackdown following 2005 elections left several people dead
Ethiopia’s ruling EPRDF has warned the opposition that any attempt to snatch power unconstitutionally will not be tolerated.
The party singled out Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (EFDUF) for allying “covertly and overtly” with armed rebel groups and Ethiopia arch-foe Eritrea to get to power.
Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front circulated a statement to its members saying some opposition parties were plotting to snatch power during the May elections
“EFDUF is allying with Eritrea and other anti-Ethiopia forces and we should isolate this group by exposing the truth to the public,” ruling party document, obtained the Africa Review, said in part.
According to the document, the opposition bloc planned the Ukraine and Georgia type revolution to topple the two decade’s old ruling party.
EPRDF further claimed that the opposition planned to precipitate anarchy to pave the way for a power-sharing government, similar to those in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
A 2005 crackdown on opposition supporters protesting the results of that year’s elections, left 193 people dead.
Mr Hailemariam Desalegne, the ruling party’s parliamentary whip, told the Africa Review his party was committed to holding free, fair and credible elections.
Dismissed the accusation
“We have all the evidences what they (opposition) have planned and which would not be helpful for both of us,” Mr Hailemariam noted.
EFDUF dismissed the accusation and said they were aimed at creating reason for the jailing of the opposition leaders if they won the election.
Dr Merera Gudina, the chair of EFDUF, said the intelligence was documenting all movements by the opposition leaders.
“We are aware about the plot against us and if it comes to violence, it will come from the government itself,” Dr Merera said.
Another opposition leader Gizachew Shiferaw, who is the deputy chair of Unity for Democracy and Justice, said the oppositions can easily win the election without any violence.
“We are confident to win a majority seat but I don’t believe that there will be fair and free election,” he added.
EFDUF is a coalition of eight political parties composed of veteran politicians MPs and former ruling party top officials.
