The Quest for Constitutionalizing Political Parties in Ethiopia

As one of the most essential elements in democratic process, parties deserve proper constitutional recognition and protection. Constitutional recognition and protection of parties refers to their acknowledgment as important actors in the democratic process, and the provision of rights and privileges which they would enjoy, and responsibilities which they would assume. Constitutional recognition of political parties in turn plays a significant role in creating a level playing field for all parties alike in the political competition. This article investigates the constitutional recognition and protection of parties in Ethiopia and establishes the need to constitutionalize them. To this effect, analysis to the relevant literatures and the provisions of the constitution and other related subsidiary laws have been made. Accordingly, the finding suggests that political parties are notduly recognized under the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE). The FDRE Constitution neither has deliberately stipulated the special role of parties in the democratic process, nor does properly described their rights, responsibilities and privileges. Such failure of the Constitution gives the ruling party greater power to determine the rules of the political game leaving the contesting political parties under its control. This is practically observed in the current scheme of state finance for the contesting parties and airtime allotted to them during election times. Problems in relation to the prevalent undemocratic practices in the internal functioning of political parties can also be attributed to the non-prescription of the responsibilities of political parties in the constitution