Ethiopia poll plans continue despite opposition crackdown

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia has announced its plan to conduct the postponed national election in late May or early June next year.

Soliana Shimelis, the board's communication adviser, told the BBC that preparations were underway.

Opposition parties have however complained that a government crackdown against its officials had disrupted their plans to prepare for the polls.

The #Oromo Liberation Front (#OLF) said almost all of its leaders and party officials are under arrest while its offices including the main office in the capital Addis Abeba are either "ransacked, closed or are under state under control."

The government has not responded to these allegations.

Another opposition party Oromo Federalist Congress (#OFC) has also announced that it was going to be difficult for it to take part in the upcoming election with its leaders and members in jail.