CUD, UEDF call for reelection in 299 constituencies
Addis Ababa, July 27,2005 - Woyanne Information Service (WIC)- The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD),the two major opposition parties, today rejected the recent election results issued by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE)and demanded that the contested constituencies be re-examined by a neutral body or a re-election be conducted in the 299 constituencies.
In a joint statement they gave today at the Ibex Hotel, the leaders of the two parties said if the people's voice is to be respected and if peace and stability is to prevail, the contested constituencies must be re- examined by other panels or re- elections should be held in the constituencies in an atmosphere free from abduction, beatings, imprisonments and general harassments.
To this end the parties called on local and international observers to actively participate in the re-elections as they have done in the May 15 elections.
The leadership of the two parties have also stated that they don't accept the outcomes of the Complaints Investigation Panels as the investigation process has been conducted outside the agreed declaration with the houses of their witnesses being burnt and torn while the witnesses and their families were harassed and intimidated during the investigation process.
They also accused the NEBE as arranging the CIPs only for the benefit of EPRDF saying that representatives of the Board and the ruling party in the CIPs have not been working in accordance with the June 10 tripartite declaration and the June 14 additional version to the same document.
The parties stated that the voice of the people cannot be protected while the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) stands as a loyal agent of the ruling Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF
Re: CUD, UEDF call for reelection in 299 constituencies
Believeing that the opposition will release them from the tyranny of the fascist regime the Ethiopian people have given their votes and support, overwhelmingly, to the opposition parties. The opposition, has to honour the trust put in its hands by the people of Ethiopia and keep its promise to lead the people to victory.
By voting for the opposition our people have placed them selves open to revenge attack of the fascist regime. The stakes are high. There is no other way to save our country from perpetual decline other than a total victory of the people. A few seats in a woyane parliament is not the answer. These murderous fascists have no moral or legal ground to seat in government or lead the country.
They want to live in a society where there is no fear of persecution for the belief one holds, where justice, peace and fairness prevails. They want to see an end to poverty. Only the removal of tyranny can bring real progress and take our country in to the 21st century.
