Opposition poll appeal rejected

2010-06-18 14:20

Addis Ababa - Ethiopia's supreme court on Friday rejected an appeal by the country's main opposition coalition over alleged fraud in the May 23 polls that saw the ruling regime coast to re-election.

"The supreme court has rejected all the appeals of Medrek which were 85 pages-long based on the fact that they lacked evidence and did not follow proper procedures," Supreme Court Judge Asegid Gashaw said.

The Medrek umbrella group of opposition parties had already filed an appeal with the electoral body and demanded a re-run, arguing the ballot was riddled with fraud and that its observers had been subjected to intimidation.

The electoral commission had also rejected their request, drawing accusations from Medrek that it was involved in the rigging.

Provisional results show that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's ruling EPRDF coalition secured 535 out of 547 seats in parliament while Medrek could only clinch one.

Definitive official results are due to be published on June 21.

- AFP