| Rights groups decry Ethiopia press clampdown ahead of elections AFP May 23, 2015 ADDIS ABABA – The ruling party has brought armed militias to the election floor in clear violation of the election law, critics say. In the election whose outcome is a foregone conclusion, the ruling party has used extensive repressive measures to secure its stay in power for the next five years. The national elections are slated for May 24, 2015. The ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has been in power for over two decades and is confident of a win, but insists the result will be decided on its economic record alone. Ethiopia is now one of Africa’s top performing economies and a magnet for foreign investment. The EPRDF won 545 of the 547 seats in parliament during the last elections in 2010. This time, the only opposition MP has chosen not to run again, while polls in the constituency of the one independent MP seeking reelection were postponed Friday, after he complained there had not been “enough time and space” for campaigning. “The lead-up to the elections has seen an onslaught on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly,” Amnesty International said in a statement. “This onslaught undermines the right to participation in public affairs freely and without fear as the government has clamped down on all forms of legitimate dissent.” The government routinely dismisses such critics, and government spokesman Redwan Hussein told AFP that voters would choose the representatives based on their performance. “If they want to give us another chance they will vote for us,” he said. “If they have a grudge, they will not give their |
