EU mulling sending observers for Ethiopia polls

19 February, 2010

(ADDIS ABABA) EUbusiness - The European Union is considering sending observers to monitor Ethiopia's elections in May, its delegation in Addis Ababa said Thursday.

"An exploratory mission is currently undertaking an assessment of the electoral environment and whether an EU observation mission is feasible, useful and advisable," it said in a statement.

"The decision on whether or not to deploy a mission will take into account the findings of this fact-finding mission," it added.

The polls are scheduled for May 23.

The last polls, in 2005, were marred by allegations of vote rigging by the government and street protests that led to mass arrests and the killing of nearly 200 people.

In those elections, deep divisions emerged between the Ethiopian government and the EU, which alleged that the vote was tainted with irregularities.