Mohamed Hamid, Head of the Justice Bureau of Benishangul-Gumuz Space, has disregarded claims that the hot constitutional amendment in the gap was politically motivated, stating that it was introduced to invent the constitution “multi-ethnic and inclusive” and had “nothing to do with polling stations or electoral districts.”
Speaking to a regional broadcaster on 16 March 2025, Mohamed explained that the amendment was famous to address “longstanding questions” and was initiated by the regional cabinet earlier than being “approved by a majority vote after discussions with two competing political parties.” He emphasised that the revision expanded parliamentary seats from 100 to 165 in line with “social and economic needs.”
“There are complaints suggesting ‘you are dismantling polling stations of competing parties and reorganizing them,’ but this has nothing to do with polling stations or electoral districts,” he acknowledged, adding that concerns over electoral restructuring had been “misplaced.”
The amendment has confronted resistance from the Boro Democratic Social gathering (BDP), an opposition celebration operating in Benishangul-Gumuz, which petitioned Ethiopia’s Council of Constitutional Inquiry to advise its legality. BDP members contend that the seat expansion was now not in line with inhabitants dimension and that changes to electoral districts exceeded the council’s constitutional mandate. The dispute escalated after the arrest of three BDP members, including Yohannes Tesema, a regional council handbook, days after the petition was filed.
Due to this truth, on 15 March, the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional Council held an emergency session and lifted the parliamentary immunity of council member Yohannes Tesema. Mohamed, who equipped the movement during the session, mentioned that Yohannes had been “disseminating information on social media that incites conflict, damages the honor of the region and the council, and diminishes its reputation.” He further alleged that Yohannes’ actions had been aimed at “provoking and dividing ethnic groups” and that there had been “indications of connections with elements attempting to overthrow the government by force.”
In his interview with the regional broadcaster, Mohamed also recalled that the regional constitution had been amended twice earlier than without same opposition, stating that “the current outcry stems from the political elite rather than reflecting the desires of the people.” He also warned individuals against spreading inflammatory assert online, urging them to refrain from activities that would “incite public unrest.”
