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Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has recommended that postponed general elections be held given the public’s awareness in the media of the coronavirus pandemic as well as the capacities created in the country to produce masks and hand sanitizers.
It should be remembered that Ethiopia decided to postpone the national elections due to the coronavirus pandemics through a constitutional interpretation, supervised by the House of Federation (HoF). While the Constitutional Interpretation Council (CCI) process was assisted by various experts and members of the constitutional drafting council two decades ago, critics were disappointed by the lack of dissenting voices during the hearings, as well as the lack of voices. opposition in the decision process.
Presenting this recommendation to the People’s House of Representatives (HPR) on Friday, September 18, 2020, Liya Tadesse (MD) Minister of Health, said that the country has also improved the capacities of health institutions in terms of better COVID-19 testing and treatment.
This recommendation comes after the expiration of the five-month state of emergency that was announced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Citing that some countries have already held elections during the pandemic and others have postponed them, the Minister noted that there are enough lessons from across Africa to help us prepare for the elections in Ethiopia.
The fact that the spread of the pandemic in our country is minimal compared to projections, the public has a better understanding of the means of transmission, the availability of the best scientifically proven means to prevent the spread of the virus and the availability of capacity. local to produce masks and disinfectants, are said to put the country in a better position to hold elections.
But two conditions must be met to carry out the national elections, as recommended by the Ministry of Health. The first is to develop a code of electoral conduct, regulations and directives with COVID-19 in mind so that better preparations can be made. Second, the need for special treatment in areas of high virus prevalence should be taken into account.
In addition to recommending the holding of the elections taking the necessary precautions, the Ministry also suggested that economic and social activities be restored with due precautions to avoid the spread of the virus. Therefore, such meetings should allow sufficient ventilation, maintain social distance, mandatory use of face masks, enforce frequent hand washing and other necessary measures.
Even though the discussion at the HPR was to see if there is a means to carry out the postponed general elections in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, some dissident members of parliament said the elections should not be held due to the lack of a enabling environment in the country to conduct any election.
The HPR Standing Committee on Social Affairs and the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice and Democracy are tasked with taking these recommendations and submitting a motion on whether to hold elections or not.
