Residents of the capital Addis Ababa said Monday the public rallies held in support of political parties contesting in the May 15 national elections are clear manifestations of the development of a democratic culture in Ethiopia.

They said the prevailing competition among contesting political parties is highly encouraging.

Some residents said they have been impressed by the consecutive massive rallies held peacefully by both the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) on Saturday and Sunday.

A resident, named Solomon Aseffa, said that having witnessed the public rallies in the past two days, he dare say there is really democracy flourishing in Ethiopia.

Solomon said eligible voters should make appropriate use of the voters' ID in their hands.

Another resident, named Mussie Hailu, said the fact that the public has held the rallies peacefully was indicative of the increasing political consciousness of the public.

The kind of electoral process being held now used to be held only in western countries, he said, adding that such transformation was indicative of significant progress.

Another youth, named Temesgen Gebre Selassie, said he had not seen such kind of democratic elections before, adding that he was lucky enough to see such transformation as well as growing of public awareness.

Though the two rallies held in support of the CUD and the EPRDF were peaceful, insolent remarks made by some individuals calling names during the rally held in support of CUD were unethical when it was possible to express objection in democratic and civilized way.

Yet another resident, Israel Abebe, said that after the elections the public should exert maximum efforts to strengthen the ongoing development activities aimed at alleviating poverty.

He also appreciated journalists for their role in raising the public's awareness and making the election process a success.

Another resident of the metropolis, Fitsum Argaw, urged the youth to take part in the elections with a sense of responsibility and safeguarding the democratic system achieved through great sacrifice and efforts.

More than 25.6 million of Ethiopia's 74.2 million people have registered to vote in the upcoming elections.

The ruling EPRDF is widely expected to win a third five-year term in the world's extremely poor country, but observers say the ruling party's parliamentary majority may dwindle under challenges from opposition candidates.

Five opposition parties, which are the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, the Ethiopian Pan- Africanist Party and the United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin, are trying their level best to end the ruling party's 14 years in power.

Voters will also elect representatives in nine regional state parliaments that appoint members of the 112-seat Council of the Federation, the upper house. The governing party and affiliated parties hold 519 of the current 547 seats in the federal parliament.