Among eleven independent candidates who registred for election in Tigray regional state, six of them have dropped out for various reasons, head of the office of Electoral Commission of the National Regional State of Tigray Prof. Meressa Tsehay, said.

One of the candidates, Ataklti Haile Selassie has confirmed to the BBC Tigrigna that he has excluded himself from the election and political process. He said he had decided to run as an independent candidate in the election with the hope that he would be given free air time for electoral campaigns in the regional media and printing costs would be covered by the Electoral Commission, but he decided to drop out when he realized that was not the case. 

“Community gatherings or door-to-door campaigns are impossible because of coronavirus. So if I am unable to campaign through radio and television and unable to get financial aid to print and distribute flyers/ brochures, how could I introduce my program ?” he was quoted as saying by the BBC Tigrigna.

The politician said that since the Electoral Commission was not willing to provide him the support, it was meaningless to participate in the election.

The Electoral Commission of Tigrai had registered five political parties and 11 independent candidates who wanted to take part in the regional election that is set to be held in the first week of October. Arena Tigray for Democracy & Sovereignty, the second oldest party in the Regional State, has also excluded itself after mentioning concerns over constitutionality.