Ethiopia’s ruling party wins international elections | Stories of Abiy Ahmed

PM Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party has won 410 of the 436 seats contested in parliament, the Electoral Commission said.

The ruling Ethiopian Prosperity Party has been declared the winner of last month’s by-elections, confirming President Abiy Ahmed’s five-year term in office.

The June 21 election was the first time Abiy had met with voters since he was elected Prime Minister in 2018 following several years of opposition to the government.

In a statement posted on Twitter on Saturday, Abiy also described the election as “historic”, adding: “Our party is also proud to have been elected by the people to run the country.”

But the investigation was carried out amid growing tensions in the Tigray region that have tarnished Abiy’s international reputation and threatened famine.

Ethiopia’s National Election Board announced on Saturday that the ruling party had won 410 seats in the federal parliamentary seat out of 436 when the election took place. Some seats will be vacant as there have been no voting in some areas due to violence or other reasons.

The official results showed opposition parties and candidates seeking to win lower seats.

Even fewer opposition representatives in parliament can overcome future instability, says Addisu Lashitew of Brookings Institution in Washington.

“People, especially young people, need to be heard, which is why they need to have a say in politics,” Addisu said.

“Even if they do not always succeed in influencing political elections, being heard is important.

Incorporating the wording into the political process means it cannot be “extreme” or cause major protests, he added.

Abiy’s test

The vote was a test for Abiy, who took office in April 2018 after the Prime Minister resigned amid protests.

Abiy has monitored major political changes, but critics say they are undermining some of the promises of political and media freedom.

He has also strongly criticized other countries for their actions in the Tigray region, which has left thousands dead.

The June vote, which was changed twice due to the problems of the COVID-19 epidemic and its use, was very peaceful but opposition parties opposed the harassment and intimidation.

Abiy hailed the election as the country’s first attempt at free and fair voting, but the United States has said it has “serious flaws”, in light of the arrests of some dissidents and insecurity in some parts of Africa’s second-largest population.

The leader of the opposition Citizen for Social Justice party, Birhanu Nega, lost as opposition parties won 11 seats.

The Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice has lodged 207 complaints with the Electoral Commission.

Prominent opposition parties in the Oromia region, Ethiopia’s largest states, boycotted the by-elections. The ruling party ran itself in twelve constituencies.

‘A reliable choice’

The head of the Electoral Commission, Birtukan Mideksa, said on Saturday that the vote had taken place at a time when Ethiopia was experiencing difficulties, “but the vote has ensured that the people will be controlled by their votes”.

He added, “I want to make sure we are able to make reliable decisions.”

Voters accounted for more than 90 percent of the more than 37 million registered voters.

The Prosperity Party was formed after the dissolution of the old Ethiopian alliance, which was dominated by Tigray politicians.

Disagreements in the by-elections marked the first rift between Abiy and Tigray leaders, which eventually sparked controversy in the region in November.

Although Abiy also said in 2018 that Ethiopia would reduce the Prime Minister’s limit to two, it is unknown whether he will take part.