Regional Assemblies of Eritrea

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Lower Regional Assemblies of Eritrea are found in each of the six zones of the State of Eritrea. These Assemblies are responsible for setting a local agenda in the event that they are not overruled by the National Assembly. The Regional Assemblies are in turn popularly elected within each region.

Contents

At the time of independence in 1993 Eritrea was arranged into ten provinces. These provinces were similar to the nine provinces operating during the colonial period. In 1996, these were consolidated into six regions (zobas). The regional electors elect the members of the Regional Assembly. However, the regional administrator is not selected by the Regional Assembly unlike the National Assembly of Eritrea that elects the President of Eritrea.

Background

While Eritrea was federated to Ethiopia, and later annexed from 1952-1962, the Eritrean Assembly was the legislative body. Eritrea has a single-party National Assembly governed by the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ (originally Eritrean Liberation Front), a totalitarian government. From the time of independence since 30 May 1991, the country has been continuing with a transitional government elected during the elections in April 1993. The scheduled national election in 2001 has been postponed indefinitely. [1] The regional and local elections are conducted on a periodic basis on a restricted framework. All men and women of any ethnic or religious background are eligible to vote. No parties or groups other than PFDJ are allowed to contest and the elections are presided by representatives from PFDJ. Policy decisions should be centered around PFDJ mandate and opposition and dissenters have been imprisoned. [2]

Regions

At the time of independence in 1993 Eritrea was arranged into ten provinces. These provinces were similar to the nine provinces operating during the colonial period. In 1996, these were consolidated into six regions (zobas). The boundaries of these new regions are based on catchment basins. Critics of this policy contend that the Government of Eritrea was erasing the historical fabric of Eritrea while proponents believe that these new Regional boundaries would ease historical land disputes. Furthermore proponents of this policy argue that basing boundaries on an important natural resource would ease the planning of its use. [3]

The composition of the 150 members of the National Assembly is: 75 members from the Central Committee members of the ruling PFDJ and 75 others elected from the 527 member Constituent Assembly in 1997. The 75 members were elected by the 527 Constituent Assembly members from all the six regional assemblies. [4]

Constitutional powers

Each region has a locally elected regional assembly while the local administrator is appointed by the President of Eritrea. During Cabinet meetings the President also meets with the Regional Administrators who report on the activities of their regions. The Regional Assemblies are charged with developing a budget for local programs and hearing the concerns of the local populations. Local programs included cultural events, infrastructure such as feeder roads, and to promote afforestation. [1] The regional administrator is not selected by the Regional Assembly unlike the National Assembly of Eritrea that elects the President of Eritrea. [5]

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Isaias Afwerki President of Eritrea

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Anseba Region Administrative region in northern Eritrea

Anseba Region is an administrative region of Eritrea, located in northern Eritrea. The capital and the most populous city in the region is Keren. The region is named after Anseba River, which passed through most parts of the region. The average elevation in the region is around 1,800 m (5,900 ft) to 2,100 m (6,900 ft). The hottest month is May recording temperatures up to 30 °C (86 °F), while the coldest month is December to February when it reaches freezing temperature. The region received around 508 mm (20.0 in) of rainfall and the soil is conducive for agriculture.

Gash-Barka Region Administrative region of Eritrea

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Central Region (Eritrea) Administrative region in central Eritrea

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Southern Red Sea Region Administrative region in southern Eritrea

The Southern Red Sea Region is an administrative region of Eritrea. It lies along the southern half of the Red Sea, and contains the coastal city of Assab. It borders the Northern Red Sea Region, and has an area of around 27,600 km2 (10,700 sq mi).

Southern Region (Eritrea) Administration region in western Eritrea

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Northern Red Sea Region Administrative region in northeastern Eritrea

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National Assembly (Eritrea)

The National Assembly of the State of Eritrea has 150 members, 75 members appointed and 75 members representing the members of the Central Committee of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), the sole legal political party of Eritrea. According to the IPU, the National Assembly has 150 indirectly elected members. The National Assembly was composed in February 1992, and its meeting place is located in Asmara.

Regional Administrators of Eritrea

The Regional Administrators of Eritrea are appointed centrally by the President of Eritrea. The Regional Administrators supervise and work in collaboration with their elected Regional Assemblies.

Regions of England Highest tier of sub-national division in England

The regions, formerly known as the government office regions, are the highest tier of sub-national division in England, established in 1994. Between 1994 and 2011, nine regions had officially devolved functions within government. While they no longer fulfil this role, they continue to be used for statistical and some administrative purposes. While the UK was a member of the European Union, they defined areas (constituencies) for the purposes of elections to the European Parliament. Eurostat also used them to demarcate first level Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) regions within the European Union, which in 2021 were superseded by International Territorial Level (ITL) regions. The regions generally follow the boundaries of the former standard regions, established in the 1940s for statistical purposes.

References

  1. 1 2 "Elections in Eritrea". African Elections. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Eritrea". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "Eritrea to have 6 administrative regions". Eritrea Profile. 20 May 1995.
  4. ↑ "Eritrean Government". Embassy of the state of Eritrea, Sweden. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  5. ↑ USA (PRD) International Business Publications (2004). Eritrea Foreign Policy And Government Guide. Int'l Business Publications. p. 110. ISBN   9780739796412.
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