What is the difference between 1931 and 1955 constitution of Ethiopia?

The 1931 constitution of Ethiopia, officially known as the Imperial Constitution of Ethiopia, was the first written constitution of the Ethiopian Empire. It was promulgated by Emperor Haile Selassie I on July 16, 1931, and remained in effect until the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution.

The 1955 constitution of Ethiopia, officially known as the Revised Constitution of Ethiopia, was a revised version of the 1931 constitution. It was promulgated by Emperor Haile Selassie I on November 4, 1955, and remained in effect until the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution.

The main differences between the 1931 and 1955 constitutions are as follows:

1. The 1955 constitution expanded the powers of the Ethiopian parliament, which was known as the Chamber of Deputies. Under the 1931 constitution, the emperor had the sole power to make laws, but under the 1955 constitution, the parliament had the power to pass laws that had to be approved by the emperor.

2. The 1955 constitution introduced a system of universal suffrage, which allowed all Ethiopian citizens over the age of 21 to vote. Under the 1931 constitution, only certain categories of citizens, such as landowners, were allowed to vote.

3. The 1955 constitution abolished the absolute monarchy and established a constitutional monarchy, in which the emperor was the head of state but the government was responsible for the day-to-day administration of the country.

4. The 1955 constitution also introduced a number of other reforms, such as a guarantee of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly.

Overall, the 1955 constitution was a significant step forward for Ethiopia in terms of democratization and political liberalization. It introduced a number of reforms that made the government more accountable to the people and gave Ethiopian citizens more rights and freedoms.