Côte d’Ivoire / UNOCI’s head, Y.J. Choi, outlines certification
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, May 28, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UNOCI’s head, Y.J. Choi, outlines certification.
« Once the voters’ list is explicitly certified, I will not accept its rejection retroactively, » the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire, Y. J. Choi, said on Wednesday in Abidjan at the weekly press conference of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI). He added that the same applied to the election results, noting that once they were certified he would not agree to their becoming the target of undemocratic contestations or to their being compromised.
The head of UNOCI explained the content of the certification mandate that has been conferred upon him by the UN Security Council and gave clarifications on the concept which, he said, was a tool at the service of the Ivorian people for organizing elections they will be proud of.
He announced that, to this effect, he essentially had two means, namely the mandates of certifier and head of the UN mission tasked with maintaining peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire, adding that he would ensure that the results are accepted.
The UNOCI chief dispelled widespread ideas that could hamper a proper understanding of the precise certification role contained in UN Security Council Resolution 1826. Pointing out that the mission is here, not to seek, a priori, chinks in the electoral process and play the gendarme by punishing them but “to ensure that all stages develop within the basic criteria.
He recalled that the five criteria – peace, inclusion, state media, voters’ list and election results – had been decided upon in consultation with the Ivorian political actors and the Facilitator. This means that the electoral process and the announcement of the results should take place in a peaceful climate, that no one must be excluded from the process, that the state media should demonstrate impartiality and equity towards all political candidates, parties and groups, Mr. Choi said.
He added that the, with regard to the modus operandi for certification, he would be supported by a group of experts within UNOCI’s Certification Cell, who would help him by permanently evaluate the electoral process. Thus, he explained, if he is informed of any malfunctions, he has four levels of action. At the first level, he encourages the parties to take the necessary corrective measures. If that does not work, he seeks solutions at the national level with the Ivorian protagonists. The third option is to appeal to the arbitration of the facilitator. The last recourse is reporting to the Security Council.
He then confirmed that, as Certificator, he will make it a point of honour and a special commitment to safeguard the legitimate results. “I shall personally see to it that the results are respected, that the winner is, in fact, the person who won the elections. I shall safeguard the results by all the means at my disposal, in the interest of the Ivorian people,” Mr. Choi said.
Providing details on the issue of access to state media, Mr. Choi said this began with the publication of the provisional voters’ list. “That’s where the Independent Electoral Commission’s regulations regarding the state media begin, » he said. “It’s about fundamental references that include impartiality and equal access for all.”
Referring to concerns over possible faults that could arise during the poll, Mr. Choi reassured journalists that since he was not organising the elections – and therefore not authorized to check all stages of the process – he would seek to have any malfunctions avoided. « If there is any malfunctioning, I am going to contact the people concerned to bring them back to the framework criteria, he said, adding : « if they are acting in bad faith, I shall not make any concessions.”
SOURCE
Mission of UN in Côte d’Ivoire
