Ethiopia: Electoral body pledges fair poll in 2005

The head of the National Election Board (NEB) on 24 June urged government and opposition parties in Ethiopia to ensure "free and fair" elections next year. Asefa Biru, the NEB executive secretary, told IRIN that his organisation "will insist government closely cooperate with the election board to take measures when any official or overzealous cadre interferes". The polls are expected to be held in May 2005, but both the government and the opposition are already gearing up to contest.