Ethiopia's electoral body prepares for general elections next week

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said it has carried out various activities towards peaceful and democratic elections scheduled for May 24 in the East African nation.

The Board said it has carried out the necessary preparations for the elections, for which 36.8 million voters have been registered, and 58 political parties are contending.

Training programs for all stakeholders including political parties, voter civic education to the public, discussions with political parties and other programs with different segments of the society are among the major activities carried out by NEBE to the conduct of peaceful and democratic elections, according to the Board.

NEBE Deputy Chairman Addisu Gebre-Egziabher told Xinhua on Saturday that the number of voters registered for the upcoming election has shown significant increase compared to that of the previous election due to the continuous engagement and programs undertaken by the NEBE.

"We have registered 36.8 million voters across the country. Contending political parties have been registered; 58 political parties are contending for the upcoming elections; and some regional political parties and some are federal political parties, " he said.

He said that the ruling and opposition parties have debated a number of policy issues, which he said is really encouraging and promising for the overall process.

Contending political parties are undertaking campaigning programs across the country, which will end 48 hours prior to the polling day.

The 2015 election is the fifth edition in Ethiopia after the overthrow of the Derg regime in 1991.

Ethiopia conducts its general elections every five years.