FOREIGN OBSERVERS OF ETHIOPIAN ELECTIONS
by
Bulcha Demeksa
In the course of 2006 and 2007, Inter-Party Dialogue (consisting of Ruling and Opposition Parties) took place continuously, and a great deal of time was spent, among other things, on the Revised Election Law.
When the Election Law was considered (in 2007), representatives of the Opposition Parties strongly held the view that Ethiopian Elections, at all levels, should be observed by local and foreign observers. They insisted that the Law should provide that observers, both foreign and local, should be allowed to observe Ethiopian Elections, because there should not be anything that the country hides from foreign observers in the process of elections.
The Government argued that Ethiopians can conduct elections with only local observers, considering that some foreign observers can have negative influence on the outcome of the Elections. During the debate on the Election Law, the Government cited some recent examples of foreign observers who had a negative impact on the outcome of the Elections.
Opposition Parties argued that the Ethiopian Election Law should say that in “principle”, Ethiopian Elections are open to foreign observers and that the Government can always control the visa of foreign observers, thus screening out those who have ill intentions in their desire to observe the Ethiopian Elections.
Thus, Proclamation 532/2007 only allows local observers to observe Ethiopian Elections. The Law provides, under Article 78, sub-articles a-d, very rigorous conditions for qualifying as an observer organization. For example, a civil society organization cannot participate in observing the Elections if it provides voter education in its constitution.
Under Article 78 (2), the Election Law says that Ethiopia would honor its international treaty obligations with respect to foreign observers. In other words, Ethiopia would allow foreign observers if there is an international treaty obliging her to invite an international organization to observe Ethiopian Elections. For example, according to the Peer Review Mechanism of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), an African country is obliged to invite the African Union (AU) to observe its elections and good governance. Therefore, when the Ethiopian Election Law refers to Ethiopia’s Treaty obligations, we assume that it refers, among others, to her obligation to invite AU to observe the upcoming Local and By-elections of April 2008. Opposition Parties would naturally be watchful whether or not Ethiopia will invite AU to observe her next Local and By-elections.
One of the questions which Opposition Parties repeatedly raised, was why the Government was so strongly opposed to foreign observers of Ethiopian Elections, while it has become almost an international norm for foreigners to observe other countries’ elections. Opposition Parties thought that citing the experience with a foreign observer in a recent election did not justify the adoption of a law which prohibits foreign observers from observing Ethiopian Elections. The European Union, as well as major donors to Ethiopia, is interested in the democratization of Ethiopia. It is a highly anti-international attitude to exclude any foreigner from observing Ethiopian Elections. After all, Ethiopia has never been able to conduct a free and fair elections.
It is likely that the outcome of any election in Africa in general, and in Ethiopia in particular, would be disputed. To avert disputes and prolonged wrangling, it is advisable, logical and judicious to invite at least those organizations and institutions from friendly countries to observe the upcoming Local and By-Elections. Disputes and disagreement about the outcome of an election would derail our efforts to build a democratic system which will eventually withstand any political tremor.
It is safe to assume that it is the desire of all Ethiopians to see unbiased and objective foreigners observe our Elections. In the presence of foreigners, it is difficult for reckless polling officers to stuff ballot boxes, intimidate voters, abuse Opposition Party representatives, and irresponsibly throw away ballots with the excuse that they contain mistakes.
Let us be foresighted and prudent in regard to the expression of the will of our people.