Ethiopia vows free, fair elections within year

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopia on Monday vowed to give the nation free, fair, and credible elections not later than a year from now, following an extended term due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pledge came in a speech President Sahle-Work Zewde gave to a joint session of both houses of parliament, which have gone past their five-year term under a state of emergency due to the outbreak.

"We managed to restructure the country's electoral board in a way it can function independently," Sahle-Work said.

She said the next parliamentary elections will be free, fair, and credible.

Over the last year Ethiopia has been challenged by instability, she added.

Ensuring peace, stability, and security to the people is one of the government’s top priorities, the president said.