Addis Ababa, November 5, 2009 -  The half-day discussion held here on Wednesday on the Implementation Guideline of the newly-signed Ethiopian Electoral Code of Conduct was quite fruitful, the parties that signed the electoral code of conduct disclosed.

Briefing journalists on the discussion held at the hall of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), the four political parties that signed the electoral code of conduct said the discussion that brought together nearly all political parties in the country was indeed successful.

NEBE mediated the discussion that brought together the signatories (Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), All Ethiopian Unity Organization (AEUO), Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), and Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP) and other political parties operating in the country.   

The signatories also reiterated that political parties, which did not sign the electoral code of conduct, agreed to have ample time to confer with their respective executive committees on the code of conduct and determine their position as well as their future relations with the media.

EDP Chairperson, Lidetu Ayalew said the new electoral code of conduct will play key role toward developing the culture of democracy in Ethiopia.   

CUDP chairman, Ayele Chamiso said on his part the document, which is prepared as per the international standard and the prevailing situations of the nation, will play crucial role to carry out free and fair national elections.

CUDP believes that discouraging the political parties, which did not sign the document so far, from signing the electoral code of conduct will be contrary to the rights and interest of the peoples of the country, Ayele noted.

AEUO representative, Yaekob Likie said the discussion, which is the first of its kind over the last 36 years, will contribute a lot in curbing the mistrust and misunderstanding that exist among the various political parties of the country.

He said his party believes that the document, which is expected to contribute a lot in ensuring human rights and democratic culture in Ethiopia, will be endorsed as law after being amended by the various political parties.

EPRDF representative, Hailemariam Desalegn also said nearly all political parties, with the exception of Medrek, have agreed on the modality of the discussion.

Medrek had boycotted the negotiation of the political parties as illegal on the assumption that designing electoral code of conduct in the responsibility of the NEBE and not the responsibility of the parties and the parliament as per the Proclamation No. 532/1997.

Designing electoral code of conduct is indeed the responsibility of the NEBE, Hailemariam said, the signatory parties are only trying to bring about common understanding among all political parties on the code of conduct and not imposing the document for endorsement.

Medrek that alienated itself from the negotiation, at the time when political parties are striving to conduct acceptable, democratic, free and fair elections in the country, will not harm any party except itself, Hailemariam said. (ENA)