ADDIS ABABA, May 30 (Xinhuanet) -- The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has won a majority in the country's 547-seat lower House of People's Representatives, according to preliminary election results issued here on Monday.

    The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) said in a statement that the ruling party has gained 286 seats, securing another five-year term. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi-led EPRDF has been in power for 14 years since 1991.

    The statement said that the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) and the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the country 's two major opposition parties, were in second and third places with 113 and 49 seats respectively.

    The preliminary results are based on vote counting that took place at the 34,000-strong polling stations in the country. The final official results will be released by NEBE after it investigates any complaints made about the vote counting.

    NEBE is responsible for the administration, conduct and supervision of all elections in Ethiopia's federal and state constituencies. It is scheduled to announce the final official results on June 8.

    Ethiopians went to poll on May 15 in the country's two separateelections to elect representatives to the House of People's Representatives and eight regional councils. Elections in southeastern Somali state will take place in August.

    Ethiopia has a two-house parliament: the 110-seat upper House of the Federation and the 547-seat lower House of People's Representatives. Enditem