Ethiopian polls 'rigged'

2005-05-15 16:47

Addis Ababa - The leader of Ethiopia's main opposition party called for his coalition to reject the results of Sunday's election, saying there had been massive irregularities.

Hailu Shawel, the leader of the main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy, said the four political parties that make up the group would meet later on Sunday to make a final decision on the parliamentary vote.

Opposition leaders have complained that the election has been marred by police harassment.

Foreign election observers, however, have found little evidence of systematic abuses and have called the campaign and Sunday's voting generally free and fair.

"It is a disaster all over the country," Hailu said.

"All of our observers have been kicked out and we have been stopped from voting in some areas."

The vice-chair of the other opposition group, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces, said his coalition would make a decision on Monday.

"The situation is totally intolerable," Beyene Petros said.

- AP