Ethiopian general election, 1987
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in Ethopia on 14 June 1987 for seats in its Shengo. This was the first election since Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed in the Ethiopian Revolution as well as the first election under the 1987 constitution
, which established the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
(PDRE).
, provided for a national parliament, the Shengo, as the supreme organ of State power. The date of the general elections was officially announced only two days in advance. In the running for the Shengo's 835 seats were some 2,500 candidates, mostly nominated by the ruling Marxist-Leninist Workers' Party of Ethiopia
. Voter turnout was reported to be 90.5%.
1987 Constitution of Ethiopia
The 1987 Constitution of Ethiopia was the third constitution of Ethiopia, and went into effect on 22 February 1987 after a referendum on 1 February of that year. Its adoption inaugurated the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia .-Contents:...
, which established the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
The People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was the official name of Ethiopia from 1987 to 1991, as established by the Communist government of Mengistu Haile Mariam and the Workers' Party of Ethiopia...
(PDRE).
Background
The new Ethiopian Constitution, adopted by a referendum held on 1 February 1987Ethiopian constitutional referendum, 1987
A constitutional referendum was held in Ethiopia on 1 February 1987. The new constitution would make the country a one-party state with the Workers' Party of Ethiopia as the sole legal party. It was approved by 81% of voters, with a 96.3% turnout, and was promulgated on 22 February.-Results:...
, provided for a national parliament, the Shengo, as the supreme organ of State power. The date of the general elections was officially announced only two days in advance. In the running for the Shengo's 835 seats were some 2,500 candidates, mostly nominated by the ruling Marxist-Leninist Workers' Party of Ethiopia
Workers' Party of Ethiopia
The Workers' Party of Ethiopia is a Communist party in Ethiopia that was, from 1984 to 1990, the only legal political party in the country.-The Commission to Organize the Party of the Workers of Ethiopia:...
. Voter turnout was reported to be 90.5%.
Results
| Party | Votes | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workers' Party of Ethiopia Workers' Party of Ethiopia The Workers' Party of Ethiopia is a Communist party in Ethiopia that was, from 1984 to 1990, the only legal political party in the country.-The Commission to Organize the Party of the Workers of Ethiopia:... |
12,981,957 | 99.2 | 795 |
| Independents | 104,693 | 0.8 | 40 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 2,998,350 | ||
| Total | 16,085,900 | 100 | 835 |
| Source: Nohlen, et alia | |||