FIFA has for the second time “strongly” recommended postponement of Ethiopian Football Federation elections that were scheduled for 14 January 2018.
This follows “deep concerns” raised by the chairperson of the Electoral Committee Mr. Zerihun Mekonnen over “infractions of Standard Electoral Code of FIFA” in vetting members of the electoral body and candidates for various seats.
In a letter to world’s football body dated 20 December 2017, Zerihun alleges violations of rules which “prohibits members of the Electoral Committee from being government officials” and those providing for “non-interference.”
He further claims breach of rules which provides that Electoral Committee members “shall not serve for two consecutive terms.”
“Having considered the matter, FIFA and CAF strongly recommend to EFF that the elections be postponed to a date after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Nations Championships (CHAN) Morocco 2018 scheduled to take place from 13th January to 4th February 2018,” FIFA statement reads.
This would allow CAF to send a representative to monitor and observe the elections jointly with the FIFA representative.
It will also give room for corrective measures to taken over the issues raised by the Electoral Committee chairperson.
“While postponing the elections might not be ideal at this stage, it is without doubt advisable to avoid issues being raised after the elections,” FIFA adds.
The elections were initially planned for 9 November 2017 but were postponed following FIFA’s recommendation to allow for formation of Electoral Committee to oversee the process.
A new date of 4 January 2018 was set but the electoral body requested a push back to the 14th to allow the country, which celebrates Christmas on 7th to enjoy the festivities.
