The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) rules out the decision of the House of Federation (HoF) to hold a referendum for the creation of Ethiopia’s 12th region.
Justfying its decision, the Board, in a statement released today, cited its establishment proclamation and the constitution that gave it independence to make a decision on setting a timeline for election and referendum.
“After assessing the security situation, setting up poll centers, recruiting election officers and giving a permit to civil society organizations, we will announce the timeline for the referendum,” said the Board.
Chaired by Birtukan Midekssa, the Board released the statement just a week after it approved a resolution to hold a referendum for the creation of a new region in the southern part of Ethiopia.
The approval came after the councils of six zones and five woredas that are currently under the Southern region filed a petition for the formation of a new region.
Ethiopia is a federal state with 11 autonomous regions. The latest to join the federation is South West Region, which is created by five zones and one special woreda through referendum.
