Two Ethiopians running for parliament on the ticket of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front in weredas 1 and 2 opened their campaigns on Saturday.
Dr. Abraham Tekeste and Feleke Yimer told gatherings in Addis they listed schools, housing and other infrastructure as projects they want to pursue if elected.
"EPRDF continues to thrive to sustain the fast-growing economy that it achieved for the last several consecutive years," said Abraham. He added that his party, which has been in power since 1991, is committed and is capable of ensuring active participation in the election by all Ethiopians.
In other Ethiopian election news, Girma Negassa, a candidate from the Oromo People's Congress, alleges that he was threatened and attacked by government militias in his western Shoa community and by members of a local administration.
"I was beaten by these named individuals and repeatedly warned against running as OPC candidate," Girma said.
Girma also listed the names of other opposition candidates who he says remain in jail and unable to pursue their campaigns. The government declined to respond to the candidate’s charges.
Listen to this Ethiopia Votes report in Amharic