Addis Ababa, May 26 (WIC) – The African Union Observer Mission to Ethiopia’s May 23 2010 national elections said the elections were organized and conducted in accordance with the constitutional and legal provision and the rules and regulations governing the conduct of elections in the country and were largely consistent with AU guidelines and standards for the conduct of democratic elections.

AU Observer Mission Head, Sir Ketumile Masire, told local and foreign journalists here today that the elections held last Sunday reflected the will of Ethiopians.

Masire said the elections were free, fair and favorable conditions were existed for voters to freely express their will.

He said the overwhelmingly voter turnout indicated outstanding mobilization and sensation by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), political organizations and other stakeholders.

He further called on all political parties that took part in Sunday’s elections to accept the final results that would be released by NEBE.

Masire finally congratulated the people of Ethiopia for their peaceful conduct and active participation in the electoral process.

The AU Observer Mission is composed of 59 members drawn from Pan- African Parliamentarians, National Parliaments, high-level officials of Election Management Bodies, prominent individuals, ECCOSOC and members of the Civil Society from various African countries.