It is known that the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has been verifying whether parties that are registered and are in the process of registering fulfill requirements set by the Proclamation No. 1162/2011 and the Directive 03 on obligations of the parties. Accordingly;
- All political parties were requested in writing to submit their requirements and to provide the additional founding signature expected. Consequently, 26 parties that did not submit their required documents have been canceled.
- The board carried out verification on the submitted signatures of the founding members in all regions and woredas. The work was carried out through Regional Branch Offices of the Board in collaboration with the governing bodies so as to verify the authenticity and accuracy of the information.
Challenges encountered in this process
- Inaccurate information (name of unknown woreda, incorrect woreda, kebele, etc.)
- The verification process took a long time due to data management problems in lower-level administration (ID number, house number information incomplete)
- Problems of not providing information in a short period of time by the parties when there is a lack of information
- Staff unavailability due to the COVID-19 pandemic
As a result, the vetting process took a long time, and the results of the vetting process did not go as planned by the Board. In the case of administrations such as Addis Ababa, which could not verify the signatures of the founders, the signatures of the parties presented were considered valid.
As a result, the board has decided to approve the registration of parties that have presented more than 35 percent valid signatures of founding members, and decided to cancel parties that had less than 35% signatures and did not meet the requirements of the Board. Accordingly
Parties that have been removed from the board’s list of parties are as follows:
1. Existence of Amhara for the Unity of Ethiopia - scored 24% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
2. Unity and Democracy of Oromo for Federal Peaceful Change Party - scored 25% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
3. Oromo Abo Liberation Front - scored 10% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
4. Oromo Liberation Unity Front - scored 4% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
5. United Oromo Liberation Front - scored 33% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
6. Oromo Liberation Democratic Front - scored 24% in the vetting process of founding members signatures and did not hold general meeting in the time frame provided the board
7. Oromo Liberation and Democratic Party - scored 14% in the vetting process of founding members signatures and did not hold general meeting in the time frame provided the board
8. Ethiopians’ Democratic Party - scored 23% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
9. Dubena Degeni Nationality Democratic Party - scored 5% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
10. Agew Democratic Party - scored 19% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
11. Oromo Democratic Union - scored 18% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
12. All Ethiopian National Movement - scored 28% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
13. Oromo National Congress - scored 18% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
14. Oromo Liberation National Party - scored 19% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
15. Union for Democracy and Freedom - scored 17% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
16. Somali Patriots Party - scored 17% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
17. Afar Revolutionary Party - scored 9% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
18. Somali Regional Democratic Union - scored 3% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
19. Consultation for Unity and Democracy Party - scored 32% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
20. Weyhemre Democratic Party - scored 33% in the vetting process of founding members signatures
Parties that have been removed from the board’s list of parties for reasons other than founding members’ signature are
21. Ethiopian Peaceful and Democratic Party – Incomplete founding members number and composition and did not hold general meeting in the time frame provided the board
22. Unity for Democracy and Justice Party- Incomplete founding members number and composition and held general meeting with incomplete participants
23. Ethiopian United Peoples’ National Movement – Incomplete founding members number and composition
24. Netsebraq Amhara Organization – Even though provided in the form, 2691 founding members were listed without grandfather’s name
25. Finfinnee Peoples’ Unity for Justice and Democracy - founding members number and did not revise document’s as per the boards comment
26. Harari Revival Movement - did not hold general meeting in the time frame provided the board
List of parties that which have not completed vetting due to request for clarification or completion of various matters
1. Hibir Ethiopia Democratic Party
2. Harari Democratic Organization
3. Afar Liberation Front Party
4. Gumuz People’s Democratic Movement
5. Afar People's Party
6. Oromo National Party
7. All Ethiopian Unity Party
8. Gamo Democratic Party
9. Wolene People's Democratic Party
10. All Oromo People Democratic Party
11. Sidama National Democratic Party
12. Ogaden National Liberation Front
List of parties that have completed their screening process
1. Oromo Liberation Movement - 51%
2. Kimant Democratic Party - 57%
3. Sidama Liberation Movement -78%
4. Gedio People's Democratic Organization - 93%
5. Gambela Peoples' Justice for Peace and Democratic Movement -91%
6. Ethiopian Democratic Union - 48%
7. Western Somali Democratic Party - 97%
8. Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice Party - 69%
9. Agew National Congress - 45%
10. Kafa Green Party - 61%
11. Gambela Peoples' Liberation Movement - 94%
12. Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front - 49%
13. Ethiopian Freedom Party - 37%
14. Ethiopian Social Democratic Party - 48%
15. Freedom and Equality Party -48%
16. Mocha Democratic Party -72%
17. Tigray Democratic Party - 79%
18. Oromo Federalist Congress - 43%
19. Benishangul People’s Freedom Movement for Peace and Democracy - 48%
20. Afar People Justice Democracy Party - 53%
21. New Generation Party - 64%
22. Ethiopian National Unity Party - 38%
23. Wolaita People’s Democratic Front - 99%
24. Kucha People's Democratic Party - 100%
25. National Movement of Amhara - 38%
26. National Movement of Wolaita - 96%
27. Prosperity Party - 78%
28. Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party - 39 %
29. Oromo Liberation Front - 47%
30. Sidama Hadicho People’s Democratic Organization - 71%
31. Amhara Democratic Forces Movement - 45%
32. Gambela Peoples' Liberation Movement - 93%
33. Enat Party - 47%
34. Balderas for True Democracy - 64%
35. Boro Democratic Party (priorly registered based on the new proclamation)
36. Union of Tigrians for Democracy and Sovereignty (completed signature requirements prior to vetting)
37. Argoba Nationality Democratic Movement (Minority Nationality Party)
38. Argoba People’s Democratic Organization (Minority Nationality Party)
39. Donga People's Democratic Organization (Minority Nationality Party)
40. Federal Democratic Medrek (not required to present signatures as it is a front)
Parties that completed vetting process but technical requirements remain
1. Renaissance Party
2. Salsay Weyane Tigray
3. Kefa Peoples' Democratic Union
4. Raya Rayuma Democratic party
5. Sidama Unity Party
6. Asimba Democratic Party
7. National Bayto Abay Tigray
The Board informs the public, members of the media community and other stakeholders of its decision.
National Election Board of Ethiopia
December 22, 2020