2021 Ethiopian general election
21 June 2021 (most regions)
30 September 2021 (Harari, SNNPR, and Somali)
483 of 547 seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives
274 seats needed for a majority
Registered37 million[1]
Turnout90%[1]
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Leader Abiy Ahmed Belete Molla Berhanu Nega
Party Prosperity Party NaMA EZEMA
Seats won 410 5 4
Results by region
Prime Minister before election

Abiy Ahmed
Prosperity Party

 Elected Prime Minister

Abiy Ahmed
Prosperity Party

The 2021 Ethiopian general election to elect members of the House of Peoples' Representatives was held on 21 June 2021 and 30 September 2021. Regional elections were also held on those dates.

The election was initially scheduled for 29 August 2020,[2] but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] Regional and municipal council elections were also planned to be held at the same time.[4] In May 2020, the sitting House of Peoples' Representatives voted to postpone the election until 2021.[5] In late December 2020, the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said the election would take place on 5 June 2021,[6] before it was further delayed[7] until 21 June. It was the first multi-party election in Ethiopia since the 2005 election.[8]

The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the political coalition that had dominated Ethiopian politics since the overthrow of the Derg regime in 1991, was dissolved on 1 December 2019. Three of its four-member parties, the Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), Oromo Democratic Party (ODP) and Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (SEPDM), merged to form the Prosperity Party, which inherited the EPRDF's role as the governing party. The last leader of the EPRDF, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, became the new party's first leader.

Bekele Gerba and Jawar Mohammed, members of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC),[9] were imprisoned on 30 June 2020, following a crackdown by the government after the murder of Hachalu Hundessa.[10] On 19 September 2020, both were charged with terrorism.[11][9] Jawar denied the charges and claimed the arrests were politically motivated.[11] The OFC and the Oromo Liberation Front were planning to participate in the election but withdrew,[12] claiming that the results would be rigged under the Prime Minister.[13]

The election was a landslide victory for the Prosperity Party.[14][15] On 30 September 2021, voting took place in 47 constituencies of the Harari, SNNPR, and Somali regions.[16] The House of Peoples' Representatives confirmed incumbent Abiy Ahmed as prime minister for a five-year term on 4 October 2021.[17] African Union described the election as an improvement compared to the 2015 election and positively overall, urging the government to continue the commitment to democracy.[18]

Background

Wollo, Amhara Region

A conflict between Oromo residents and Amhara Special Forces started in January 2021. According to Hassan Hadiya, a resident of Kemise, it started after Amhara Special Forces killed a person at the entrance of the grand mosque in Ataye, in the Oromia Zone of the Amhara Region. Another resident of Kemise, stated that the Amhara Liyu police were attacking civilians. Eyewitnesses blamed the regional Amhara Special Forces while the Amhara regional government accused both the OLF-Shene and TPLF of the violence.[19][20] Two members of the Ethiopian parliament accused Amhara Liyu police of killing an Oromo civilian in Ataye, saying: "Amhara Militia used OLF-Shane as a pretext to commit war crime on Oromo farmers in Wollo for the three major reasons the MP said on 11th Session of parliament of Ethiopia. The reasons are: (1) their national identity (being an Oromo), (2) their religious identity (being Muslim), and (3) use the atrocity as a bargaining threat to fulfill all their demands in Oromia region."[21] With regard to the attack of Wallo Oromos in the Oromia Zone by Amhara militia in March 2021, the OPP and APP issued opposing statements, each blaming the other ethnic group for causing the violence and killings.[22][23] The Borkena news website and an Amhara Region official claimed that the OLF targeted Ataye.[24]

Shashemene massacre

Shashamane, a town south of Addis Ababa, was the scene of a pogrom massacre[25][26][27][28][29] that targeted Orthodox Christians, ethnic Amharas, Gurages and other non-Oromos. The violence was triggered by the murder of singer Hachalu Hundessa in a Galan condominium. An umbrella humanitarian organization, OTAGE, has engaged a legal firm, specialising in international crimes, to bring those responsible to justice.

Tigray War

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the dominant component of the EPRDF, was the only constituent party that had not merged into the Prosperity Party. In September 2020, the Tigray Region held a regional election that the Prosperity Party-led government deemed illegal.[30]

On 4 November, Tigray regional security forces attacked the headquarters of the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), leading to armed conflict in the between the government and the Tigray region. In late 2020, the Tigray Region government was replaced by the Transitional Government of Tigray.[31] TPLF was then dissolved by NEBE.[32] There have been reports of war crimes[33][34][35][36][37][38][39] committed against civilians since the breakout of the war.

Parties and coalitions

Party Main ideologies Political position Leader
Prosperity Party Liberalism
Multiculturalism
Civic nationalism		 Centre[40][41] Abiy Ahmed
National Movement of Amhara Amhara ethnic nationalism Right-wing Belete Molla
Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice Liberalism
Federalism
Multiculturalism
Civic nationalism
Ethiopian nationalism		 Centre Berhanu Nega
Medrek Social democracy
Ethnic federalism
Ethnic nationalism		 Centre-left Merera Gudina
Ogaden National Liberation Front Somali ethnic nationalism Centre-left Mohammed Omar Osman
All Ethiopian Unity Party Ethnic federalism Centre-right Mamushet Amare
Balderas Party Conservative liberalism
Addis Ababa localism		 Centre-right Eskinder Nega
Freedom and Equality Party Liberalism
Federalism
Multiculturalism
Civic nationalism
Ethiopian nationalism		 Centre Abdulkadir Adem

Delays

In addition to the Tigray War, there have also been reports of delays in both constituencies and entire regions due to security concerns and logistics.

Constituencies

On 22 May, the NEBE announced that 40 constituencies in six regions would not hold elections on the same day, but later. According to the Board, this was from a lack of voter registration, logistical issues, and security problems in many constituencies.[42]

Regions

On 6 June, the NEBE stated that due to irregularities in printing ballot papers, the election in the Harari Region and the Somali Region would be held in a second round on 6 September. This also came when the board announced voting would not take place in the war-torn Tigray Region. Combined, these regions constitute 63 out of 547 seats.[43] In August, the voting date was moved once again to 30 September 2021.[44]

Results

On 10 July, partial election results were released with the Prosperity Party winning at least 410 seats, well enough to secure the majority and remain in power.[45][46] The National Movement of Amhara won 5 seats, Ethiopian Citizens For Social Justice Party won 4 seats, Gedeo People's Democratic Party won 2 seats, and 1 seat went to an independent candidate.[47][48] On 30 September 2021, the elections took place in 47 constituencies which had been delayed. Results from those constituencies were announced on 2 November 2021. On 4 October 2021, the House of Peoples' Representatives confirmed incumbent Abiy Ahmed as prime minister for a five-year term.[17]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Prosperity Party454New
National Movement of Amhara5New
Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice4New
Gedeo People's Democratic Party2–
Kucha People Democratic Party1–
Independent4–
Total4700
Registered voters/turnout38,234,910–
Source: Nebe, Nebe, Nebe, Nebe

Reactions

USIP: oppositions accused the Prosperity Party of intimidating, widespread detention of party members and of interfering in voter registration. In addition, NAMA also reported the deaths of some of its supporters at the hands of the government. Other smaller parties also made similar complaints.[49]

Getachew Reda, a spokesperson for the TPLF, mocked the election in a tweet, saying the Tigray Defense Forces had captured hundreds of ENDF soldiers as a gift for Abiy's "coronation as the Naked Emperor of Ethiopia."[50]

The African Union, which observed the conduct of the elections, said in a statement:

It is noteworthy that the June 2021 general elections took place within the context of reforms that opened the political and civic space which enhanced the enjoyment of more basic rights and freedoms in comparison to the 2015 elections. Among the many positive political developments, the most prominent were the institutional strengthening of the NEBE, the release of political prisoners and the return of exiled political activists. The Mission concludes that despite some operational, logistical, security, political and COVID-19 related challenges, overall, the pre-election and Election Day processes were conducted in an orderly, peaceful and credible manner. There was nothing, in the Mission’s estimation, that distracted from the credible conduct of the elections. The Mission, therefore, commends all Ethiopians for the demonstrated commitment to the democratic development of the country. The AUEOM calls on all stakeholders to remain calm in the remaining electoral phase. The Mission urges any stakeholder that is dissatisfied with the electoral outcome to seek redress through the established legal and institutional mechanisms.[51]

Another observer delegation to the elections, a limited joint mission of the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute, found that the elections had been preceded by promising political reforms, but that:

political space, participation, and competition were acutely limited by widespread insecurity, open conflicts, and other serious constraints in the electoral environment... Though there were important improvements over past elections, particularly relating to the national election body and election monitoring by political parties and civil society, the environment fell short of essential standards for civil liberties, equitable campaign conditions, and security.[52]

Other civil society organisations expressed similar misgivings,[53][54] as did the United States Secretary of State, who said in a statement that the "electoral process... was not free or fair for all Ethiopians".[55] Five opposition parties – the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party, Balderas for True Democracy, National Movement of Amhara, Afar People's Party, and Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice – submitted complaints about irregularities in the electoral process.[56]

References

  1. 1 2 "Abiy's party wins landslide victory in Ethiopia election". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  2. ↑ Endeshaw, Dawit (2020-01-15). "Ethiopia sets tentative August date for elections". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  3. ↑ "NEBE Says Impossible To Hold Election As Per Scheduled Due To COVID-19". fanabc.com. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "African election calendar 2020". Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  5. ↑ "የህገ መንግስቱ ሶስት አንቀጾች ትርጓሜ እንዲሰጥባቸው በፓርላማ ተወሰነ" [Parliament has decided to interpret three articles of the constitution] (in Amharic). National Election Board of Ethiopia. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "Ethiopian electoral board sets June 5 for national polls - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  7. ↑ "Ethiopia delays polls again amid security, logistical challenges". Al Jazeera. 15 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "Ethiopia to hold delayed elections on June 21 - vote board". Reuters. 20 May 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Ethiopia files terrorism charges against opposition leaders". Yahoo! News. 2020-09-19. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
  10. ↑ "Why Ethiopian gov't arrested Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba". Borkena Ethiopian News. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  11. 1 2 "Jawar Mohammed: Top Ethiopia opposition figure 'proud' of terror charge". BBC News. 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  12. ↑ "Oromo Liberation Front takes queue after OFC, opted out of Election". Borkena.com. 2021-03-05.
  13. ↑ "Ethiopia: Oromo Opposition Party to Boycott 2021 Elections". stratfor.com. December 9, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Abiy's party wins landslide victory in Ethiopia election". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  15. ↑ "Ethiopia PM Abiy's party wins landslide victory in June parliamentary poll". France 24. 2021-07-10. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  16. ↑ Mersie, Ayenat (2021-09-30). "Ethiopians in three regions vote in delayed election". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  17. 1 2 Endeshaw, Dawit (2021-10-04). "Ethiopian parliament confirms Abiy Ahmed as prime minister". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  18. ↑ "Preliminary Statement: African Union Election Observation Mission to the 21 June 2021 General Elections in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia | African Union". au.int. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  19. ↑ Addisstandard (2021-03-22). "News: Unknown number of people killed in the ongoing violence in Oromia Special Zone and North Shewa Zone, Amhara region as warring factions trade blame". Addis Standard. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  20. ↑ Addisstandard (2019-04-08). "News: Security forces ordered to take measures as weekend violence claims lives". Addis Standard. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  21. ↑ Gaaffilee Hirmaattota Mana Mareerraa ka'ee, retrieved 2021-04-17
  22. ↑ Addisstandard (2021-03-24). "News: Amhara & Oromia PP engage in war of words as relative peace returns to violence-hit areas". Addis Standard. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  23. ↑ Addisstandard (2021-03-22). "News: Unknown number of people killed in ongoing violence in Oromia Special Zone and North Shewa Zone, Amhara region as warring factions trade blame". Addis Standard. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  24. ↑ "Ataye: Oromo Liberation Front opened war in Amhara region". Borkena Ethiopian News. 2021-03-20. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  25. ↑ Gebremariam, Kebadu Mekonnen (2020-08-09). "Why Ethnic Cleansing in Ethiopia Was Triggered by a Musician's Murder but Did Not Arise from It". Medium. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  26. ↑ Tebeje, Alyou (21 July 2020). "Concealing the Amara Genocide Is Promoting Amara Massacre!". EthioPoint: Ethiopians Analysis | Research Articles. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  27. ↑ "Ethiopia : The People who are being slaughtered for no reason". Borkena Ethiopian News. 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  28. ↑ "'My son died the worst kind of death': Horrific details of violent unrest in Ethiopia". The Mail & Guardian. 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  29. ↑ "How a musician's death unleashed violence and death in Ethiopia". The Guardian. 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  30. ↑ "Ethiopia's Tigray region defies PM Abiy with 'illegal' election". France 24. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  31. ↑ "Tigray Interim Administration, Residents of Mekelle City Conducting Discussion". Ethiopian News Agency. 2020-12-25. Archived from the original on 2020-12-26. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  32. ↑ "Ethiopia Pulls Tigray Party License Ahead of June Elections". Bloomberg.com. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  33. ↑ "Eritrean troops massacre hundreds of civilians in Axum, Ethiopia". www.amnesty.org. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  34. ↑ "Massacre 'of 750' reported in Aksum church complex, Tigray, Ethiopia". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  35. ↑ "Ethiopia: Eritrean Forces Massacre Tigray Civilians". Human Rights Watch. 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  36. ↑ Arvanitidis, Barbara, Nima Elbagir, Bethlehem Feleke, Eliza Mackintosh, Gianluca Mezzofiore and Katie Polglase (26 February 2021). "Massacre in the mountains: How an Ethiopian festival turned into a killing spree". CNN. Retrieved 2021-04-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ↑ Feleke, Bethlehem , Eliza Mackintosh, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Katie Polglase and Nima Elbagir (April 2021). "Analysis of massacre video raises questions for Ethiopian Army". CNN. Retrieved 2021-04-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ↑ "In an out-of-sight war, a massacre comes to light". Los Angeles Times. 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  39. ↑ "Evidence suggests Ethiopian military carried out massacre in Tigray". BBC News. 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  40. ↑ Habtewold, Melaku (December 24, 2019). "Why Prosperity Party is needed" – via www.ethiopia-insight.com.
  41. ↑ "Who Will Win the Next Ethiopian Elections?". January 10, 2020 – via www.ezega.com.
  42. ↑ "Electoral Board Issues List of 40 Constituencies in Six Regions Where Elections Wont Take Place per Schedule". Addisstandard. 2021-05-22.
  43. ↑ "Ethiopia postpones vote in two regions citing irregularities". Reuters. 2021-06-10.
  44. ↑ "New Election Calendar Unveiled for Polls in Somali & Harari regions, Southwest referendum". Ethiopian Monitor. 2021-08-24.
  45. ↑ "Ethiopia PM wins delayed election". BBC News. 2021-07-10. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  46. ↑ "Abiy hails 'historic' Ethiopia election after landslide win". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  47. ↑ "Ethiopia: Election result points to landslide win for PM Abiy Party". Borkena Ethiopian News. 2021-07-10. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  48. ↑ "Election Result". National Election Board of Ethiopia. 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-06-28. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  49. ↑ "Why Ethiopia's 2021 Elections Matter". United States Institute of Peace. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  50. ↑ Irish Times, 23 June 2021: Officials count ballots after Ethiopia’s election, new fighting reported in Tigray
  51. ↑ "Preliminary Statement: African Union Election Observation Mission to the 21 June 2021 General Elections in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia | African Union". au.int. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  52. ↑ "Joint NDI/IRI Limited Election Observation Mission for Ethiopia Report on the June 21, 2021 National Elections". National Democratic Institute. 2021-08-09. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  53. ↑ "Ethiopia's election was peaceful but not competitive". Institute for Security Studies. 2021-07-05. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  54. ↑ Human Rights Watch (2022-01-13), "Ethiopia: Events of 2021", English, retrieved 2022-08-22
  55. ↑ "Building a Stronger Democracy in Ethiopia". United States Department of State. 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  56. ↑ Mekonnen, Siyanne (2021-06-26). "Five Opposition parties who participated in this week's general election complain about electoral process". Addis Standard. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
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