Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement ready to participate in upcoming election
Addis Ababa, November 16, 2007 (WIC) – The Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) disclosed that it will participate in the upcoming local election.OFDM Chairperson, Bulcha Demeksa, told WIC that the movement will participate in the election for woreda and kebele councils as well as in filling vacated seats in the House of Peoples Representatives in all woredas of Oromia State and some woredas of SNNP State.
The party has been making preparation to field competent candidates as it believes that woredas and kebeles are the can help alleviate the economic and social problems of the public and become closer to the community, he said.
The Chairperson further indicated that the newly organized National Electoral Board has been consulting state governments and political parties to respond to the questions it raised in connection with the election.
A transparent system should first be put in place in order to carry out free and fair election, Bulcha said, adding that the media should also pave the way for the opposition parties to express their views on the election.
He further stated that the ruling party should also supply logistics to opposition parties so that they can fully engage in the election. The Chairman expressed hope that the House of Peoples Representatives would positively respond to the request of the opposition for budget subsidy during election campaigns.
Bulcha also noted that all political parties should take part in the election and that the government should give guidelines to zonal and woreda administrations so as to make the election free and fair.
