Ethiopia: Two Deadlines Gone, Only Five Collect Election Symbols
Legesse Lanikamo, secretary of the Sidama Liberation Movement, says his party decided to participate in the election "after a long discussion with the Sidama people," although he still vows allegiance to the cause of the 33 parties. On the press conference held at the head office of the Blue party on Tuesday, Asrat Tase, the chairperson of the 33 parties and Gebru Gebremariam, executive member of Medrek, declared that they will be taking their case to the court if the election board does not accept their claim. Only five of the 33 parties that are in dispute with the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, have collected their candidature symbols for the local election, which may not see the participation of the remaining 28 parties. The five that have joined the list are; the Ethiopian Justice & Democratic Front, Sidama Liberation Movement, Dube & Degeni Nations Democratic Party, Ethiopian Democratic Unity and Yebaher Work Mesmes People D