Ethiopia to hold elections taking general precautionary measures: Speaker

ADDIS ABABA – Speaker of House of Peoples’ Representatives Tagesse Chaffo said Ethiopia will conduct the sixth general elections this year taking general precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

In a press conference yesterday Tagesse said that the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia has to begin its preparations to hold the sixth national elections by developing and implementing election code of conduct, regulation and enforcement guidelines that take into account the prevention of the coronavirus pandemic.

Referring Ministry of Health’s report, he also stated that “as the pandemic stays with us for an unspecified time, the country has to hold the national elections.”

As to him, currently, the spread of the virus is less than what was previously predicted which required postponement. “We have also developed a better awareness of the virus this time around.”

According to him, there are better protective conditions and personal protective equipment in the country. The readiness of the health facilities, the supply of inputs and capacity of laboratories have also improved.

He also said that the country can re-open schools, hold sports games, and celebrate public holidays by taking precautionary measures to control the pandemic.

In collaborating with the Ministry of Health, institutions have to prepare and implement guidelines to arrest the pandemic, he added.