Some 90 per cent of voters in Central African Republic favour new constitution – UN mission reports

Ninety per cent of voters in the Central African Republic (CAR) are in favour of the new Constitution, according to partial election results, while campaigning is now under way for the presidential elections and the final list of parliamentary candidates has been published, the United Nations mission in the country reported today.

The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission, known as, MINUSCA, also reported that in light of the recent declaration of autonomy by former Séléka rebels in the northeastern region of the CAR, it is discussing with local authorities security measures and other issues related to the elections scheduled for later this month.

Regarding the referendum held earlier this week, the National Electoral Authority (NEA) announced yesterday that 90 per cent of voters are in favour of the new Constitution, according to partial election results related only to the capital Bangui, the UN mission said. Results from the provinces are still being collected.

The Electoral Authority has also published the final list of more than 1,600 validated legislative candidates retained for 140 electoral districts, according to the UN mission.

The referendum and elections are taking to stabilize the impoverished country plagued by more than two years of fighting between the mainly Muslim Séléka and mainly Christian anti-Balaka groups.

MINUSCA, set up in April 2014 to help restore stability peace after a breakdown of governmental authority, currently maintains nearly 11,000 uniformed personnel in the country.