Support for upcoming polls focus of talks between UN and Ivorian officials

The head of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has pledged the world body’s support and assistance for the holding of the West African country’s presidential election, slated for November.

Y. J. Choi, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire, and Robert Mambé Beugré, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), discussed the latest developments in the Ivorian electoral process during a meeting held yesterday at UNOCI’s headquarters in Abidjan.

They also focused on UNOCI’s support for the electoral process during the meeting, which was also attended by the Chief of the mission’s Electoral Assistance Division, Ahmedou El Becaye Seck.

Mr. Beugré thanked UNOCI for its help last weekend in airlifting equipment for the identification and registration of the population, a key stage in the electoral process.

UNOCI will also assist in the recruitment and training of identification agents, as well as the rehabilitation of some 70 identification centres across the country.

Mr. Choi underlined the importance of respecting the deadline of 30 November 2008, for the holding of presidential elections, which were supposed to have been held in 2005.

He also assured the President of the Independent Electoral Commission of UNOCI’s availability to provide all the assistance possible within its mandate to the Ivorian institutions and authorities.