Widespread fraud and harassment of opposition supporters, candidates, and observers are being reported through out Ethiopia in today’s parliamentary elections.
Ethiopian Review sources in Addis Ababa, Gonder, Gojjam, Tigray, Awassa, Ambo and other cities are reporting that Woyanne cadres and security agents are stealing votes in the open after chasing away observers. One observer described the scene in the town of Debere Markos as “day light robbery” of votes.
In Addis Ababa, trigger happy Federal Police have been observed detaining any one who makes complaints about voting related issues at polling stations. In Woreda 17, election monitors have observed unauthorized individuals inside voting rooms where only voter should have been allowed to enter.
In Adwa, where Meles Zenawi is competing against Medrek’s Aregash Adane, gross intimidation is being reported. Heading up to Sunday, Meles Zenawi’s supporters had disrupted a rally organized by Medrek where Aregash Adane appeared to speak. Meles’ supporters stoned Aregash’s car and chased her away.
In hundreds of districts through out the country, election observers were chased away by Woyanne gunmen, in some cases at gun point.