Constitutionalism and electoral authoritarianism in Ethiopia: From EPRDF to EPP

Abstract

Ethiopia has had little experience of democratic political systems. For centuries it was a monarchy, ruled by successive emperors who traced their political authority to divine sources as opposed to the people.1 Although Emperor Haile Selassie promulgated Ethiopia’s first constitution in 1931, which was revised in 1955, it was meant more to constitutionalize his autocratic rule rather than entrench a democratic system. Indeed, the constitution established a bicameral parliament with a chamber of deputies (the lower house) and a senate (the upper house).2 The house of deputies was composed of elected representatives; however, the elections were held on non-partisan basis, since forming a political organization was not then allowed. Moreover, only those owning property in the relevant electoral districts could run as candidates in the elections to the chamber of deputies.3 The Emperor retained the prerogative to select members of the senate.4