News Opposition Parties Ring Alarm Ahead of National Vote
May 17, 2025
With only a year remaining until Ethiopians head to the polls for the seventh general election, a coalition of opposition parties has issued a stark statement, warning that protracted conflicts and political turmoil threaten to derail the democratic process.
In a press release issued on May 12, 2025, All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP), Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP), Enat Party, and the Amhara Ghionians Movement (AGM) collectively voiced their concerns over a perceived lack of visible preparation for the election and the rapidly deteriorating political landscape.
The parties characterized the integrity of the upcoming vote as “doubtful” and asserted that “only a free, fair, and credible election can resolve Ethiopia’s current conflict and public oppression”.
The coalition criticized the government and the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) for under-preparing, and cited the ongoing conflict in the Amhara and Oromia regions, and the limited federal control in Tigray, as factors hindering a conducive electoral environment.
The parties argue the public’s focus on survival diminishes the importance of the election.
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“Amid war, worsening security, threats to personal safety, and the mounting cost of living, the public is increasingly compelled to see elections and similar events not as opportunities to change leadership, but as luxuries they can no longer afford,” reads the statement.
The parties demand the removal of restrictions on political party activities, the release of political prisoners, and the establishment of media impartiality. They also call for the independence of civic and democratic institutions, and the presence of international observers.
“While the current NEBE board has gained some election experience, new leadership may lack the necessary expertise to manage the process,” reads the statement. “The current board, despite its significant issues, has at least gained experience by conducting one election, and should be given the opportunity to manage the upcoming one. New leadership, potentially facing challenges from the outset, would likely lack the experience to oversee and successfully execute a national event as large and complex as an election within a short time frame. Furthermore, there is a considerable risk that their appointment would largely reflect the indirect interests of the ruling system.”
The joint press release calls on the government to ensure media fairness, enable the free operation of civic organizations, and ensure the neutrality of security forces.
The coalition emphasized the need to include consultations with political parties in preparations for the vote, and urged the public to acknowledge the significance of the election and to pressure the government to take appropriate action.