Statement from the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia

Statement from the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia

It is known that the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia has set a timetable for its preparations for the 6th national election and is working with the concerned bodies to carry out various activities. These include ensuring electoral security as well as working to open constituencies and zonal offices.

Accordingly, the Board has held discussions with regional government officials at various times and detailed the role of the electoral operation structure and the state governments.

According to the agreement reached during the talks, the Board requested the following major cooperation from the regional governments.

1. Addis Ababa City Administration: 33 Constituency Offices and 3 Zonal Coordination Offices and Training Places

2. Dire Dawa City Administration: 47 Constituency Offices and 1 Zonal Coordination Offices and Training Centers

3. Somali National Regional State: 72 Constituency Offices and 11 Zonal Coordination Offices and Training Centers

4. Gambella National Regional State: 14 Constituency Offices and 3 Zonal Coordination Offices and Training Centers

5. SNNPR Regional Government - 113 Constituency Offices and 16

Zonal Coordination Offices and Training Areas

6. Harari National Regional State: 3 Constituency Offices and 1 Zone Coordination Offices and Training Centers

7. Afar National Regional State: 32 Constituency Offices and 5 Zonal Coordination Offices and Training Areas

8. Amhara National Regional State: 138 constituency offices and 12 zonal coordinating offices and training sites

9. Sidama National Regional State: 19 Constituency Offices and 1 Zone Coordination Bureau and Training Areas

10. Oromia National Regional State: 179 constituency offices and 20 zonal coordinating offices and training sites.

The Board shall request the list of constituencies and the cities where their offices will be established in order to facilitate the planning and implementation of the regions. A list of zonal coordinators and a list of cities where their offices will be established, as well as a copy of the Board's draft ballot paper. However, no state government has responded to the request by January 10, 2013.

Therefore, we urge the regions to expedite the cooperation required to open the necessary constituency offices mentioned in the letter and to fulfill their obligations under Article 161 of the Ethiopian Electoral, Political Parties Registration and Electoral Code of Conduct 1162/2011.

National Electoral Board of Ethiopia

January 10, 2013