Ethiopians Begin Voting

20 April, 2008

Addis Ababa, April 20, 2008 (ENA) - Voting for local people’s deputies began Sunday morning all over Ethiopia.

Voters began to cast votes throughout the country beginning 6:00 AM.

The local election that will last at 6:00 PM on Sunday is held in Tigray, South Ethiopia Peoples, Oromia, Amhara, Afar, Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz and Harari states.

The by-election of the House of Peoples Representatives is also held in some parts of Ethiopia.

Some 4.5 million candidates representing about 30 various political parties are contesting in the election all over the country.

More than 26 eligible voters are expected to turn out and vote for candidates of the various parties and independent contenders.

The ruling party, EPRDF, EDUP-Medhin, CUD and AEDM are some of the major political parties which have delegated the stated number of candidates in the election, the second to be held in a week.

Here in the capital, voters began to appear and cast votes soon after the opening of the over 1,700 polling stations set up in all of 10 sub-cities. The election is being held smoothly and peacefully, according to election executives.

Contenders from various political parties and private candidates will compete to assume posts of kebele and sub-city administrative posts.

Over a million voters are expected to appear and cast votes in today’s election.

This is second the election to be held in the country in one week. Last Sunday, the by-election of the House of Peoples Representatives was held throughout the country with the exception of some regions while at the same time the election of peoples deputies of the Addis Ababa City Council was conducted.