Abiy Ahmed set to retain power as Ethiopians vote in first ``free and fair polls''

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT, ADDIS  ABABA

Africa’s second-most populous nation, Ethiopia voted on Monday in national and regional elections after decades of repressive rule. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, 45,  initiated sweeping political and economic reforms after his appointment in 2018 but there are complaints of abuses in wartorn Tigray region, which is not going to polls.  Abiy had claimed that it would be the "first attempt at free and fair elections" in Ethiopia. Voters began to arrive shortly before polls opened at 6 AM in the capital, Addis Ababa. Abiy's newly-formed Prosperity Party is the frontrunner in the elections. Former political prisoner Berhanu Nega is the only other prominent candidate but his Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice party has struggled to attract support outside cities. During the last election, the ruling coalition and its allies won all 547 seats. This time, more than 37 million of Ethiopia's 109 million people are registered to vote, choosing from 46 parties for parliament. The National Election Board said more candidates are running this time than in any previous vote.

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