Addis Ababa,  (FBC) – The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has rejected Tigray state council’s request to hold regional elections.

The board said it will not conduct election in any part of the country until a re-assessment of COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the 6th general election to be postponed, is made and favourable conditions are created to hold polls.

According to a statement NEBE sent to FBC this afternoon, the council notified to the board its decision to conduct the 6th regional election amid the pandemic.

The regional state also requested the board to accept its decision and make the necessary preparation, including manpower and logistics, to conduct the elections.

The board rejected the request stating that “it has no legal ground to deploy manpower and provide logistics and other materials support for the election”.

Two weeks ago, the House of Federation (HoF) extended terms of federal and regional state councils due to the outbreak of the virus.

It also approved a recommendation to hold the 6th general elections within 9 months to 1 year after the pandemic is declared by pertinent health bodies that it will no longer pose a threat to public health.