Addis Ababa, February 14, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - The Oromo National Congress (ONC) called for postponement of deadline of registration of candidates for the coming local and by-election. The party has been registering candidates in Addis Ababa City and Oromia State.

Party’s Chairperson Tolosa Tesfaye told ENA that his party has forwarded its request to National Electorate Board (NEBE) of Ethiopia for postponing the candidates’ registration by 15 days. It is recalled that NEBE on yesterday announced that registration of candidates would be finalized on Friday.

Tolosa said the party has faced shortage of money and time, and it is unable to field candidates in every election constituency. The party, however, he said, has been exerting efforts to nominate its candidates to vie in Addis Ababa and Oromia State.

It will field candidates for 14 federal parliament seats and fielded candidates in all polling stations for City’s administration council seats.

Guji, South West Shewa and West Shewa Zones of the Oromia state are some of the areas where the party will actively take part both in local elections and by-election.

Party's executive committee member and information and press head, Shiferaw Beyene on his part said so far registration of candidates has taken place without any problem.

He urged private media to contribute share in democratization process through making follow up reports on the coming local and by-elections.

 

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