Text Only
Search

 
Ethiopia: Opposition Accuses Ruling Party of 'Clinging' to Power

17 May 2005

Voters look at a list of provisional results at a polling station in Addis Ababa, after Sunday's third election in Ethiopia's 3,000-year history
Ethiopia's main opposition group has accused the ruling party of trying to cling to power, after claiming election victory while votes were still being counted.

Berhanu Nega of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy Tuesday told reporters that Monday's announcement was a clear sign that Ethiopia's ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, is using illegal means to keep its grip on power.

He also said results from Sunday's poll so far show his coalition has won at least 92 seats in the 547-seat federal parliament. An official vote count is to be released on June 8.

The European Union has asked both sides to wait for official results before declaring victory.

E.U. observers say the poll was orderly, but they noted some cases of voter intimidation against opposition supporters, including several election-related murders.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
US Urges Calm in Ethiopia after General Elections
Ethiopia Says Vote Was an Overwhelming Success
 
  Top Story
Bomb Explodes Near US Iraq Ambassador's Convoy

  More Stories
Two US Marines Killed in Southern Afghanistan
US Legislators Decry Secret Bush-Era Program
Netanyahu Calls for Peace Summit With Palestinian Leaders 
Istanbul Demonstrators Protest Violence in Western China
Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour Scrubbed Again
Five Iranians Detained by US in Iraq for 2 Years Return Home
Mexican Police, Soldiers Killed in Multi-City Attacks
Officials: Maoists Kill 26 Police in Central India
Obama Returns Home From European, African Trip
Alleged Coup Plot Puts Guinean Army on High Alert 
Lithuania Swears In First Woman President
Curfew Lifted in Honduras
Al-Qaida in North Africa Frees Swiss Hostage
Park in the Sky Opens in New York  Audio Clip Available
China Rushing Supplies to Quake-Hit Zone  Audio Clip Available
Thousands Remember Europe's Worst Massacre Since World War II