Friday 15th July 2005

Demo Ban Lifted

The temporary ban on demonstrations and outdoor public gatherings imposed by the Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has been lifted. The ban was enforced as of May 16, 2005. As the situation in Addis has returned to normal “there is no necessity to lengthen the duration of the ban,” the Prime Minister’s office has said.

The spokesman added that any group wishing to hold a demonstration still needs to apply to the relevant authorities, such as the Addis Ababa City Provisional Government, who have the authority to issue permits for demonstrations or public meetings in line with the laws of the country.

In regard to the election results, final results have been declared in 307 constituencies and the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) will announce the remaining results in due course. "We have been investigating all of the complaints from the political parties, however frivolous, and to do that takes time," Kemal Bedri, the election chief at the NEBE said. "The fact that we have carried out these investigations should be seen as a credit, and not as tarnishing the image of the elections."

On 8th July the NEBE announced the official results for 307 seats, of which the EPRDF secured 139, CUD - 93, UEDF - 42, OFDM -11, BGPDUF -  8, ANDP - 6, GPDM - 3, SMPDUO - 1, SPDP - 1, HNL - 1, ANDO - 1, Independent -1.

ENDS