Ethiopia votes, oppn cries foul

“It doesn’t look like an election, even by African standards,” said Merara Gudina, one of the top leaders of the opposition coalition Medrek, adding that there were reports of ballot boxes being stuffed in some areas.

He cited several cases of suspected fraud in the southern opposition stronghold of Oromiya, notably in the town of Ambo.

“As of now, 80 per cent of all the polling stations of this whole area around Ambo, are without our observers,” Merara said.
“In some areas, we even heard that ballot boxes were opened and stuffed before the arrival of our people,” he said.

“They are determined to stay,” he said, referring to Meles’ ruling coalition, which is widely expected to extend its 19-year-old rule but has been accused of stifling the opposition.