28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?

The Ethiopian Electoral and Political Parties Proclamation No…/2019

100. Government Funding: Amount and Eligibility Criteria

1. The government shall grant annual financial support for political parties to enable them conduct legal operations and meet their obligations, based on the vote they win at Federal and State Council elections, the support and donations they receive from members and supporters, the number of female and disabled candidates they nominate as candidates, and other relevant criteria.

2. The amount of financial support that a political party receives, in accordance with sub- article (1) above, shall be determined by a directive to be issued by the Board based on the following criteria:

   1. the number of votes it wins at Federal and State Council elections;

   2. the support and donations it receives from members and supporters;

   3. the number of female candidates it nominates;

   4. the number of female members of the party and number of female at leadership positions; and

   5. the number of disabled candidates that it nominates.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article 3(a) of this Article, a party shall not receive government funding if it receives less than 0.5% of the total number of votes for the House of Peoples Representatives or less than one percent (1%) of the total votes for the State Council that it contested for. However, this minimum percentage requirement shall not be applicable to parties representing minority nations or nationalities.

4. The amount of funding to be granted based on the criteria listed under sub-article (2) above shall be applicable to the general election to be conducted following the adoption of this Proclamation.

5. In addition to the financial support stated above, the government may provide support to political parties in kind or through services.