It is universally acknowledged that what matters most in an election process is not the outcome but the manner in which the election is conducted. The outcome of an election varies depending on political realities on the ground. The election system, however, is durable while the election process is a reflection of how a country's political system functions.

This is also true for Ethiopia. Though the 2005 elections were marred after they were completed, they were successful, democratic, and a big step forward in Ethiopia's election history.

The 2005 elections can be divided into two chapters which had witnessed both positive and negative aspects, and from which we can draw important lessons.

The period up to election day can be described as a chapter which did our country proud. The campaigning throughout the country by several political parties which took part in the elections, as well as the televised debates between the contesting parties, gripped the public's imagination as never seen before; a record number of voters were registered; on election day voters began to turn up early in the morning and the turnout was so high that in some polling stations voting went on well into the night. Overall, the polling was conducted peacefully and with marked enthusiasm. And when the first results were announced, the opposition CUD was declared to have taken total control of the Addis Ababa City Council.

These positive aspects can not and should not be disregarded. As such they are strengths which need to be further consolidated.  

Sadly, the post-election period was marred by several unsavoary incidents. Let's mention some here. Prior to the completion of vote counting, and in some areas even during voting, some contestants issued unnecessary statements claiming that the elections were rigged; they even publicized the "results" without the National Electoral Board certifying the authencity of the results, causing confusion and discord between those contestants that had formed alliances.

They also showed that they relied on foreign observers rather than placing their trust in Ethiopians. To make matters worse, foreign observers, in particular those fielded by the European Union, issued statements violating the election code of conduct as well as their mandate. In some places, the security forces displayed a show of their presence at a level not seen before up to election day. And following the incitement to sow ethnic division, several persons were killed resulting in the arrest of the persons responsible and later on their pardon.

These negative developments that occurred in the wake of the 2005 elections must not be repeated in subsequent elections.

In short, we should learn from the strengths and weaknesses of the previous elections so as to create the conditions for free and fair democratic elections where the bad legacies of the past do not rear their heads again.

Ensuring that this is what happens is the responsibility of everyone concerned; it is the responsibility of the ruling party, opposition parties and the public at large.

The contesting parties need to critically evaluate themselves in order to determine what strengths they had and how these should be further bolstered as well as what mistakes they made with a view to learn the appropriate lessons and become better contestants.

On its part, the public should not leave everything to them. It must be able to determine what is in its interest; it must see what they are doing with a critical eye. It should convey a clear message to the contesting parties that it will not be fooled into believing that destructive campaigning is, in fact, a constructive campaigning or vice versa.

By-elections for vacant parliamentary seats and for the Addis Ababa City Council as well as local elections are taking place this weekend and the next. These elections must be conducted in such a way that we draw additional positive experiences from them;  they should serve as a platform through which we can make better preparations for the next general election.

We expect everyone to accept the results of the upcoming elections as one important lesson from the previous elections. Ethiopians must do whatever we can to change Africa's image as a continent where elections are marred by violence. It is incumbent upon us to demonstrate that Africans also gracefully accept the results of the elections they conduct.

It is when we do these things that we can deepen the positive aspects of the previous elections and turn their negative features into positive experiences. Therefore, our actions must be driven by these considerations.