Int'l Day of Democracy marked here

Addis Ababa, September 15 – Chairman of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia Prof. Merga Bekana said that Ethiopia’s Constitution has created a situation conducive to building democratic system in the country.

Speaking at a panel jointly organized by the House of People's Representatives and House of Federation to mark the International Day of Democracy here yesterday, Prof. Merga said the role of political organizations is essential for the development of democracy.

He also noted the country has created a situation conducive to building democratic system and there is also a need to further developing and strengthening the ongoing federal system, democratic unity and national consensus to overcome the challenges of development and strengthen the democratic developmental path.

He further indicated that the government has established various democratic building institutions based on the Constitution to ensure good governance and human and democratic rights.   

Prof. Merga also underlined that efforts should be made to raise the awareness of the society mainly of the youth on the Constitution.

Since the Constitution is the result of martyrdom, it paves the way for prevalence of sustainable democracy in the country by ensuring the democratic rights of the peoples of Ethiopia, he said.

“The democratic system and good governance would be fully put in place when there are strong democratic institutions and when the society develops the culture of democracy,” he said.    

In the Ethiopian context, the culture of unity and tolerance among the nations, nationalities and peoples and the equality and freedom of all religions showcase the fact that the country's democratic system is achieving what many have scarified their lives for, Prof. Merga added.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon through his representative Alessandra Tisot said the United Nations is strongly committed to working with partners to develop global and local initiatives that elevate democracy education as an integral part of all education initiatives and as a component of long-term governance strategies.

He also noted that the theme of this year's observance 'democracy education' is essential for long term success. “It is indeed so that all citizens in all nations, in democracies young and old, established or fragile, fully understand their rights and responsibilities. And it is especially needed in countries that have made recent democratic gains so that progress made does not unravel,” he said.

The International Day of Democracy is annually marked on September 15 around the world to raise public awareness about democracy and it was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union and parliaments around the world also celebrate the Day. The Day is marked in Ethiopia with the theme: “Let's Strengthen Our Effort to Support the Society Especially the Youth to Deepening Democracy.”