Tigray State to Give Opposition Parties Non-Voting Seats

The Tigray Regional State Council is scheduled to convene tomorrow to approve the revised regional election law that will enable opposition parties to secure a non-voting seat in the Council.

The bill is expected to make way for political parties that had participated in the elections but did not manage to win a seat to participate in the Council's hearings without voting rights. The new law entitles these opposition parties to propose an agenda and bills; present a motion; and make policy suggestions, as well as nominate appointees.

With the new law, the opposition bloc will secure six percent to 10pc of the 190 seats of the Council. Political parties that have received two seats or less will be able to participate through this modem of participation, according to the draft law.

The parties will get the non-voting seats depending on the number of votes they received during the regional election that was held at the beginning of this month. Regardless of the number of votes they received during the elections, the parties will be able to secure at least one seat at the Council.

During the regional elections that saw the participation of five parties, the ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) secured the highest vote tally followed by the National Congress of Tigray (Baytona). Tigray Independence, Assimba Democratic and Salsay Woyane Tigrai parties took the remaining votes.

Earlier this week, the parties, state council representatives, and regional electoral commission members have been in discussions to map out a plan to involve the parties in the affairs of the regional government. However, the parties had not reached a conclusive agreement ahead of tomorrow's Council session, according to sources close to the case.

The Electoral Commission of the Regional State, unrecognised by the federal government, is also expected to present a two-month report about the elections process ahead of the formation of a new state government.

Gebremeskel Hailu, an associate professor in constitutional law at Meqelle University, says the revised law could be the state of a new dynamic in the Council.

“This will be a good opportunity for parties in the house to gain visibility and influence government while contributing to a more vibrant deliberation,” he said.

Put your comments here

Related Posts

Fortune News | Jul 18,2020

Regional Organisation to Upgrade Ethio-Djibouti Corridor

Radar | Mar 11,2024

Maritime Authority Aims to Break State Monopoly for Dry Ports

Fortune News | Nov 23,2019

Voters Okayed New State Overwhelmingly

Editorial | Jun 04,2022

Ethiopia Sleeps at the Wheel in the Race for Regional Integration

Radar | Mar 20,2021

WHO Regional Director Urges Vaccination Push

Verbatim | Sep 26,2021

"We cannot give up."

Fortune News | Sep 04,2021

State Insurer Eyes Clinical Trial Policies

Covid-19 | Apr 08,2020

Ethiopian Premier Declares State of Emergency

Commentaries | May 30,2026

The Political Class Bet on Mega-projects, Pushed State Banks to the Brink

Radar | Feb 22,2020

Amhara State Launches Wash Program

---