According to the new NBE regulation on elections, if there are more than 12 candidates in one constituency, a draw will be held for the candidates of the new parties to determine who stays for the run. 

Forum president Prof Beyene Petrose told SSI: “NBE considered our coalition as a new party even if most members of the coalition have participated in the 2005 election and are members of the national parliament. Hence we oppose the NBE’s latest regulation”.

According to Beyene the incident happened in almost all 12 constituencies of Addis especially where some of the parties prominent individuals like Asrat Tase are running. He added that they never had similar reports from regional constituencies where their party members are running.

When asked about their plan to turn the case, Beyene affirmed that the forum has lodged its appeal for NBE to take such technical cases to recognition that parties should not be relegated to a draw while there are active party members in the parliament.

“If the electoral board ruled against us, it will be a decision that changes the balance of competitive power in the Addis Ababa”.    

In related story the National Parties’ Council announced that the third round of inter-party debates would take place today Friday, March 12 on issues of good governance, human rights and the rule of law.