Nearly 40mln Registered Voters Cast Ballots: NEBE
Nearly three-quarters of the 54 million citizens who registered to vote in yesterday’s elections cast their ballots, says the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Board Chairperson Melatwork Hailu cited the figure during a press briefing late last night, after the NEBE announced voting hours would be extended to accommodate the long queues at polling […]
Black News 
Nearly three-quarters of the 54 million citizens who registered to vote in yesterday’s elections cast their ballots, says the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE).
Board Chairperson Melatwork Hailu cited the figure during a press briefing late last night, after the NEBE announced voting hours would be extended to accommodate the long queues at polling stations in Addis Ababa and elsewhere.
By 8:00 PM yesterday evening, nearly 40 million people had cast their ballots. The remaining 14 million were either still in the voting process, or information on their progress had not yet been made available. Some voters were also unable to cast their ballots, according to Melatwork.
Security concerns forced 143 polling stations to remain closed, while voting was suspended in several parts of Oromia (Meko Sachi, Bilo Nopa, Kersa) and in the Amhara region (Kutaber). The Board says polling will take place in these areas when circumstances allow.
In Burji, South Ethiopia, facilitators were caught filling out ballot papers, leading electoral officials to close a polling station, according to Melatwork.
“The Board has received various complaints from polling stations,” said the Chairperson.
Security officers in plain clothes were observed in several of these stations, particularly in Addis Ababa, said Melatwork.
“Plainclothed security officers were seen at stations in Addis Ababa. The Board has observed irregularities, and dispatched teams to these stations. We expect a full report,” she told the media.
Melatwork also cited instances where observers assigned by opposition parties were denied access and told to present credentials other than those granted to them by the NEBE.
Meanwhile, vote counting continues, with most constituencies expected to have a final count today, while others could have to wait until tomorrow.
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