21 May 2015
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Thursday warned party supporters against causing any disturbances during this weekend's scheduled parliamentary polls.
"There is no reason whatsoever for anybody to incite electoral violence in the current election," Hailemariam said before parliament on Thursday.
"In the event of any election disturbances, the government is well prepared and stands unflinchingly determined to take measures," he said.
Ethiopia will hold its fifth parliamentary election on Sunday, in which 58 parties will vie for 547 seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives and for seats on the country's regional councils.
Some 36.8 million Ethiopians are registered to cast ballots.
"While the general atmosphere is calm, allowing for the smooth conduct of elections, there are some political parties that are telling their constituencies that they have the upper hand," Hailemariam said.
"They are telling their constituents that, if they lost, it would be because votes were rigged," he added.
Hailemariam's parliamentary appearance coincides with the final session of the current parliament, following the completion of its five-year tenure.
The Ethiopian premier said some "foreign elements," including Eritrea, were planning to exploit the polls to incite violence.
"The peace-loving people, in coordination with our security apparatus, will be working to quell any possible election disturbances," he said.
On Wednesday, Redwan Hussein, head of the Government Communications Affairs Office, said that security forces and police were prepared – both "psychologically and technically"– to deal with any possible disturbance.
The U.S. State Department last week issued a warning to its citizens in Ethiopia, calling on them to show caution and avoid public areas.
By Addis Getachew