be adopted at any time. So in terms of commitment it’s very clear, in terms of the process it has its own pace, its own characteristics." President Isaias Afewerki was elected president of Eritrea by the national assembly in 1993. He has since been the de facto leader before independence with no legal opposition to his rule. Presidential elections, planned for 1997, have never been held. Regional elections Regional and local elections for regional assemblies and local courts took place in all regions of Eritrea in December 2002 and May 2004. The polls were considered free and fair by the National Elections Commission. See also Electoral calendar Electoral system References External links Adam Carr's Election Archive African Elections Database