Ethiopians vote amid reports of some irregularities

Ethiopians have on Monday voted in a crucial parliamentary election. Since early in the morning, long lines of voters were seen in some parts of the capital, Addis Ababa, while security was stepped up across the country. Military vehicles were parked in key locations in the capital. 

Polling stations were scheduled to close by 6pm but were extended at the last minute by three hours to allow for final voting, according to the electoral board.

Voting went on peacefully in most regions but the opposition has alleged some irregularities. Opposition candidate Berhanu Nega with the Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice party told reporters that his party had recorded more than 200 instances of its election observers being “kicked out” of polling stations or denied access. He said he hoped the troubles “do not reflect the whole process.”

Getnet Worku, secretary general of the opposition ENAT party, accused Prosperity Party members of campaigning inside polling booths and said five of his party’s agents were detained for several hours, calling it “a matter of intimidation.”

Ethiopia’s election chief, Birtukan Midekssa, told reporters that some election-related problems had been witnessed in the Amhara, Afar and Southern regions with some observers having difficulty in moving around and doing their job, which she called “concerning.”

International concern has been growing about the election. The U.S. has said it is “gravely concerned about the environment under which these upcoming elections are to be held,” and the European Union said it will not observe the vote after its requests to import communications equipment were denied.

In response, Ethiopia said external observers “are neither essential nor necessary to certify the credibility of an election,” although it has since welcomed observers deployed by the African Union.