5,819 candidates, including 1,270 women and 4,549 men. The Respondent State submits that political parties were provided with free airtime and media coverage for their election campaigns, and a significant amount of radio, television, and print media space was allotted to political parties for this purpose. The Respondent State further submits that the NEBE disbursed funds to political parties based on factors such as previous election performance, the number of nominated candidates, and the inclusion of female candidates, aiming to contribute to the establishment of effective multi-party democracy. 167. The Respondent State submits that more than 58 registered political parties, including 22 national parties and several regional parties, participated in the pre-election period, indicating strong participation. The Respondent State avers that complaints from opposition parties were received and resolved promptly in consultation with relevant Government authorities at both federal and regional levels, with many leading to corrective measures in line with the remedies sought. The Respondent State adds that the 2015 national elections witnessed significant mobilization and participation of Ethiopian CSOs, with over 13,000 CSO members granted election observation licenses. The Respondent State also references the AU Election Observation Mission, which commended the country's peaceful and calm atmosphere of Election Day. Complainants’ Observations on Respondent State's Submissions on the Merits 168. The Complainants submit that the Respondent State failed to effectively rebut the allegations of severe and systematic violations of Article 13 of the Charter during the 2015 electoral period. The Complainants add that the Respondent State provided no evidence or arguments to counter the claims, ignored essential aspects of the Communication, and even admitted to unlawfully restricting the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. 169. The Complainants further submit that the Respondent State failed to provide any evidence or substantiation while claiming that the allegations made in the Communication are unsubstantiated, which contradicts the record in the Communication, including the Commission's own Decision on Admissibility. The Complainants add that the scale of the violations presented in the Communication, their widespread documentation by various credible sources, and the Commission's determination that the violations are well-known undermine the Respondent State's superficial dismissal of the allegations. ~ 32 ~ African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, West Coast Region, The Gambia, Phone: (220) 230 4361 Fax: (220) 441 05 04 Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org https:/achpr.au.int/