Addis Ababa, March 2 (WIC) – The joint investigating committees of All Ethiopia Unity Organization (AEUO) and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) have concluded that most of the complaints filed by AEUO in connection with implementation of the electoral code of conduct were baseless.

EPRDF Public and Foreign Relations Department Head, Sekoture Getachew, told  journalists here today that EPRDF has been striving hard for the free, fair and democratic conduct of the upcoming fourth national elections.

He said EPRDF has therefore taken measures that expand the political space in the country on the basis of the proclamation for the electoral code of conduct for political parties which was prepared, negotiated and ratified by political parties.

He said just after the issuance of the proclamation, EPRDF engaged itself with determination for the efficient implementation of the proclamation by training thousands of its senior leaders in Addis Ababa and Adama, and later provided extensive training on the law and its execution for its members at various levels.

The electoral code states that differences between political parties should first be resolved through dialogue by parties, he said, adding unresolved issues may be taken to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia and the justice system.

He further said following the issuance of the proclamation, EPRDF has contributed its share for the establishment of joint councils both at national and regional levels. Accordingly it has submitted the names of its representatives at various levels to the opposition. Yet the response of the parties is slow and still pending.    

He said on the morrow of the signing of the code, EPRDF, in line with the request of AEUO has closed the causes of 181 people charged in connection with election 2005. Hence convicted and jailed persons were pardoned and released from Ziway prison.

Complaints of different parties of the implementation of the proclamation were also solved; and joint committees were in particular formed to solve the complaints of AEUO and the committees investigated the complaints raised in Amhara, Oromia and SNNP states, he indicated.

According to Sekoture, in the investigation carried out in Oromia and SNNP states since the end of January, 12 cases in Oromia, out of the 30 complaints made by AEUO, were found baseless and both sides have confirmed the authenticity of the findings with their signatures. All of the 15 complaints in SNNP state, except three, were similarly found baseless.

He said the joint activities of EPRDF and AEUO are exemplary. Yet false allegations and exaggerated claims by parties are not acceptable in accordance with Article 6/d of the proclamation. With this regard, almost all the allegations of AEUO were proved baseless by the joint committees. Therefore, EPRDF urges the organization to refrain from such acts and contribute its share for free, fair and democratic elections.