Local media outlets reported election related violence in the Addis Ababa University (AAU) campus this past week. The clashes were between supporters of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the main opposition party, Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (Forum) also known as "MEDREK."

According to the reports, EPRDF supporters were threatening Medrek supporters in the school. Federal police entered the campus to stop the fighting. In the past, the university police has been known for ignoring pro-govt instigated disturbances while cracking down harshly on pro-opposition rallies and opposition supporters.

Many were injured as the result of the recent fighting. In a related development, Oromo liberation media reported harassment of opposition supporters in Western Shewa zone of Oromia, which is the support base of the Oromo People's Congress (OPC) sub-party of the Medrek coalition.

The next Ethiopian election is scheduled for May 23 of this year. The opposition expects to win if the election board becomes independent. However, the impartiality of the board has worsened compared to the 2005 election board. In 2005, the board was forced to accept overwhelming opposition victories in the urban areas and Ethiopian cities, including opposition wins in Adama, Assosa, Jimma, Awassa, Nekemte, Dire Dawa, Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Debre Markos, Weliso, Debre Berhan, Gondar City, , Kombolcha, Shashemene and Ambo. The election board declared victory for the ruling party in many parts of the rural where the presense of international observers was minimal.