WHEREAS, it has become necessary to enable the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia to exercise their right to self-administration without any discrimination through their representatives elected in a direct and free election;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary that any electoral activity shall be guided by an electoral law that meets international standards;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to establish an electoral institution that conducts free, fair and peaceful elections at every level in an impartial manner in which Ethiopians freely express their will on the basis of equal popular suffrage and secret ballot system;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to establish an electoral system that enables political parties with different views to participate in the election and introduce their objectives to the electorate in a peaceful and legal manner, and that enables the people to elect their representatives based on informed decisions and free expression of their will;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to put in place an instrument that enables political parties and independent candidates running for elections to play a constructive role in ensuring fair, peaceful, free and democratic elections;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to establish a joint political parties forum and other bodies that give administrative decisions to resolve disputes that occur in the election process, and to put in place a clear and effective system of looking into complaints and appeals;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55 (1) and Article 102 of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows: