ENAT party accused the incumbent Prosperity Party (PP) of manipulation of voters and detention of members of the party without any legal procedure.
During the press conference held at Ras Amba hotel on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, the party briefed the media about its accusations against the ruling party.
The incumbent allegedly had unlawful involvement during voter’s registration, made unexpected detentions of ENAT’s members and intimidated the public not to vote for other political parties other than PP, if they wish to get fertilizers and improved seeds from the government.
Furthermore, the party claimed that the involvement of the incumbent to derail the process of the election and its effort to change voter’s behavior forcefully has created many wrongdoings in different parts of Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations and Nationalities, Dire Dawa, Harar, Benshangul Gumuz and Addis Ababa electoral districts.
Furthermore, it criticized PP of not abiding by the electoral law as it meddled in the areas of voters’ registration.
The party mentioned its inability to conduct campaigns in Oromia and Metekel zone of Benishangul Gumuz on account of the peace and security challenges in the regions.
According to President of the party, Seife Selassie Ayalew (PhD), while some of their supporters have been detained and arrested, one of their candidates in Dire Dawa has resigned due to unlawful pressure from the police.
Subsequently, the party requested the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) to take serious measures beyond its repetitive warnings against those who are violating and bypassing the election law.
It also urged the ruling party to refrain from intimidating opposition figures and youth, labeling such moves as a “shameful conduct.”
The party is among the top five political parties in terms of presenting a sizeable number of candidates to vie for the upcoming general election, both at national and regional levels.
