The National Election Board of Ethiopia passed the following decisions considering the clarifications given for the general assembly of some parties
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has informed parties of t following decisions regarding the general assemblies they have been conducting.
1. Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
Date of decision May 6/2022
The party has informed the board that it would hold its general assembly from April 30 to May 2, 2022, and it provided information on the preparations for its General Assembly in a letter dated March 15, 2022. However, pursuant to Article 8.5 of the bylaw of the party, since it is the Central Committee of the party that should decide to convene the General Assembly, the Board notified the Chairman of the party in writing to submit a minute outlining the decision of the Central Committee to convene the General Assembly within 5 days of receipt.
On the other hand, the vice chairperson of the ONLF, Ahmed Yassin stated that he has sent an email to the chairperson of the party on March 18, 2022, to inform him to hold the general assembly based on the request of the 19 central committee members on February 25, 2022, but he was not willing to give a response. The vice chairperson explained to the Board that this action of the chairperson violates the bylaw of the party. The Board has verified and stated that the back and forth email evidence does not prove the complaint. Therefore, the Board notified the vice chairperson to bring clear evidence showing the refusal of the chairperson to hold the general assembly within 5 days.
2. Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA)
Date of decision: May 9, 2022
Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (EZEMA) has informed in the letter issued on May 6, 2022, that it would hold its general assembly in June 2022. Though the vice and chairperson’s duration of the term has expired, it has been difficult to have an election for the positions according to the bylaw of party articles 7.1.1, 18.3.3, and 18.3.2. It is decided to halt the election of chairperson and the vice chairperson, it was unanimously decided that the chairperson and the vice chairperson for one more term like the other officials of the party.
The Board has examined the case and has notified the party that:
• The executive committee has to present the minute that holds the above decision
• In addition to the above decision submitted to the Board, the party’s executive committee must submit the updates on its bylaw presented to the general assembly.
• The Board has previously requested the party to submit the minute for the general assembly held on October 2, 2021, if there were any updates on the bylaw, points where decisions were made, measures taken, if there are any prepared updates on the bylaw.
• Based on the Article 79/2 the party is requested to let the Board the date of the general assembly so that observers are sent
3. Chairperson of Welaita People Democratic Front (WPDF)
Date of decision: May 9, 2022
The audit and inspection committee of the par’s has declared that the chairperson of the party refused to hold the general assembly because of the conflict among the party leaders. Since it was believed that the conflict could put the existence of the party in danger, the party has asked the Board frequently to send observers when they decide to hold the general assembly.
According to the bylaw of the party, the audit and inspection committee has the right to call for the general assembly if and when it has notified the chairperson to call the general assembly and the chairperson refuses.
The Board has notified the chairperson that he is required to call for the general assembly according to the bylaw until June 8, 2022 and inform the board of all the preparations for and detailed plan to call the general assembly until May 18, 20 22. If not, the Board has told the audit and inspection committee to call the general assembly according to the party’s bylaws. The committee is to select election committees and name a temporary chairperson.
4. New Generation Party (NGP)
Date of decision: May 9, 2022
The party is requested to present the decision letter which calls for the general assembly, the evidence that shows the decisions made were according to the party’s bylaw, the responsible person who passed the decisions, and the minute showing the decision for the general assembly. In addition, the party is asked to submit the detailed procedure for the election of its members of the general assembly and the assembly’s agenda.
The party has presented its evidence that declares that the party has called an urgent central council meeting based on a general assembly on March 19, 2022, and April 13, 2022. The Party has submitted minutes of the meeting and the list of resigned executive members.
However, from the submitted minute, the Board could see that the meeting was not held with the minimum required quorum of the central committee members recognized by the Board to hold the general assembly.
The Board has examined the case and passed a decision where the Party is supposed to hold its general assembly based on its bylaw till June 10, 2022, and to present a written minute the central committee held about the preparation of the general assembly to the Board a week before the general assembly.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia