Côte d’Ivoire / UNOCI chief discusses provisional electoral list with RDR leader
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, November 19, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UNOCI chief discusses provisional electoral list with RDR leader .
“We must post the provisional electoral list as soon as possible so that we can start dealing with the appeals, which represents a crucial phase,” the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, said in Abidjan on Wednesday, after a working session with the leader of the Rally for Republicans (RDR), Alassane Dramane Ouattara.
The head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI) said their discussion focused on the posting of the provisional electoral list, security provisions for the electoral process and certification. On these issues, Mr. Choi said, prospects were very positive. He added that it was up to the Permanent Consultative Framework, scheduled to meet in Ouagadougou next week, to set a new date for the election.
For his part, the leader of the RDR highlighted the considerable support that UNOCI has given to Côte d’Ivoire in an effort to ensure the organisation of democratic elections. He, however, deplored the delays encountered in the implementation of the electoral timetable. “We are worried about the fact the posting of the list, which was delivered to the sous-prefectures since last Friday, has not yet started, so we have asked UNOCI to do what is possible to accelerate this aspect,” he explained.
He also said he had told Mr. Choi that the rest of the process would move forward mechanically, so that if the 30 days for administrative appeals and the eight days for judicial appeals are respected, the first round of presidential election can be held two or three weeks later, in January 2010. “This is an important compromise which we will be ready to make although the elections should have been held on 29 November. We are not happy that this date has not been respected, but in the interest of peace we are ready to accept a postponement of a few weeks,” said Mr. Ouattara.
The leader of the RDR also said that he would like the Security Council to examine the reasons for the delays and take the necessary measures or impose sanctions against those responsible. He stated further that he wanted UNOCI’s security role to be reinforced. With regard to certification, he said that he had asked the Special Representative to exercise his right, vis-à-vis the Constitutional Council, to have the list of presidential candidates published, adding that this was expected to have been done since 9 November 2009.
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Mission of UN in Côte d’Ivoire
