Donors call for free, fair parliamentary polls in Cote d'Ivoire

The United Nations and financial donors want to see Cote d'Ivoire hold transparent, free and fair parliamentary elections, the UN peacekeeping mission says ahead of the polls set for next month. The remarks were made here on Wednesday by the head of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI), Albert Koenders, at a meeting between foreign financial partners and officials of Cote d'Ivoire's Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). He reiterated the willingness of the international community to support all efforts aimed at organizing these elections in a peaceful manner. The UN official said partners who have contributed to the electoral process include the United States, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and China, while contributions from other donors are being expected. Koenders said CEI had to overcome challenges including the operationalization of the local CEI offices, the reinforcement of the working framework with the partners and ensuring respect of the electoral timetable. "The electoral commission should also ensure that electoral materials are received on time and that the electoral lists are prepared on time," he added. CEI President Youssouf Bakayoko said there was need to put in place a mechanism to inform the partners of the commission's activities. "The efforts deployed by political actors made the electoral commission to extend the date for candidates to return their nomination papers," he noted. "This measure of extending the deadline was meant to ensure that the elections will be more inclusive, it was also meant to promote the ongoing reconciliation efforts and put in place a parliament that responds to the aspirations of the Cote d'Ivoire people," Bakayoko said. The people of Cote d'Ivoire are preparing to vote in the elections on Dec. 11 to renew their parliament.