The amendments to the Ethiopian Electoral, Political Parties Registration and Election’s Code of Conduct Proclamation No. 1162/2019 are detailed in Proclamation No. 1235/2021. This amending proclamation entered into force on its adoption by the House of Peoples’ Representatives on 2 February 2021.
The key amendments primarily involve the suspension and replacement of certain articles. Specifically, Article 31(3) and Article 32(2) of Proclamation No. 1162/2019 have been suspended and are replaced by new Articles 31(6) and 32(8). It is important to note that these changes are specifically applicable for the upcoming (sixth) national election only.
Under the New Requirements for Independent Candidates (Article 31(6)), an independent candidate is now required to secure endorsement signatures from the constituency’s residents whose voting rights are not restricted by law, court decision, or due to insanity. The minimum number of signatures required is not less than 2,500. However, for an independent candidate with a physical disability, the endorsement signature requirement is reduced to not less than 1,500. This specific provision is applicable only for the sixth national election.
Furthermore, an Exemption for Political Party Candidates (Article 32(8)) has been introduced. The number of endorsement signatures normally required for Candidates of Political Parties for both the House of Peoples’ Representatives and Regional Councils will not be applicable for the sixth national election. This exemption is made in consideration of efforts to mitigate the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been rapidly spreading nationally and internationally.