topix.net Ethiopia May 25 2015

The National Electoral Board ofEthiopia (NEBE) announced on May 20 that it has postponed the election in Gimbo zone in Bonga, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State saying that the zone “is not safe to conduct a fair and free election.” In this zone the lone independent parliament member Dr. Ashebir Weldegiorgis was supposed to contend with Dr. Mebrhatu Gebremariam who represents the Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (SEPDM) / EPRDF. The board chairperson, Professor Merga Bekana said that the technical team of the board decided to postpone the election after assessing the zone is not safe to conduct a fair and free election (Capital Ethiopia, May 25).

A boy, a sheep and a stunning mountain landscape. These are the three stars of Lamb, a poignant film directed by 36-year-old Yared Zeleke and Ethiopia’s first entry in France’s prestigious Cannes International Film Festival. The film was warmly received at its premiere this week, with the director and cast receiving applause. It is slated for general French release later this year, Zeleke said (Inter Press Service (IPS), May 22).

Members of EPDRF Youth League and supporters colorfully have undertaken election rally today at the final day of political parties campaigning in Addis Ababa stadium. Addressing the crowed, Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Chairperson of EPDRF, Demeke Mekonene said that the contribution the young is significant to in having a peaceful, democratic, justified and popular pre-election process (WIC, May 22).