Source : Commission Européenne (europa.eu.int)

The European Commission has deployed an EU Election Observation Mission for federal and state parliamentary elections in Ethiopia. The Mission will be led by Ms Ana Gomes, Member of the European Parliament, who will travel to Addis Ababa this week to meet relevant stakeholders in the electoral process.

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said: “These elections represent an important moment in the wider process of democratisation in Ethiopia as well as regional stabilisation. We particularly appreciate the fact that this is the first time in the history of the country that the government of Ethiopia has invited international observers. The EU Election Observation Mission, under Ms Gomes’ leadership, will make a valuable contribution to the democratisation of Ethiopia by delivering an independent, professional and impartial assessment of the elections.”

The EU will deploy more than 160 observers to Ethiopia. This includes a core team of 9 staff which will arrive in Ethiopia on 18 March, 50 Long-Term Observers arriving in mid-April and some 100 Short-Term Observers to be deployed in early May. The mission will be present in all regions of the country and will cover the election campaign, polling and the counting of ballots up to the announcement of the official results. The total cost of the Mission is €2.810.000. The Government of Norway will support the EU Election Observation Mission by providing some long and short-term observers.

The European Parliament will also send an Observation Delegation.

The elections form an integral part of the political dialogue between the European Union, the government, opposition and civil society representatives. The European Commission and EU Member States are financing a range of activities in the electoral field including civic and voter-education programmes and the training of journalists.