- Planning for the long-delayed presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire is finally becoming detailed, indicating Ivorian politicians this time are confident they will be held. International aid is sought to plan for security during the polls.
National authorities in Côte d'Ivoire, together with UN peacekeeping mission in the country said today they had begun planning the deployment of mixed units – made up of former rebels and government forces – to provide security during the presidential elections scheduled for November.
The head of the UN Police in Côte d'Ivoire, Pierre André Campiche, met with Ivorian Defence Minister Michel Amani N'Guessan and Interior Minister Désiré Tagro to discuss details of the joint operations and Ivorian requests for security support for the elections, the UN mission, known as UNOCI, said in a news release.
Prime Minister Guillaume Soro announced two weeks ago that presidential elections will be held on 29 November. The ballot had been repeatedly postponed after President Laurent Gbagbo's mandate expired in October 2005.
Mr Amani N'Guessan said that 500 members of the Defence and Security Forces had been redeployed thus far in Bouaké and 100 Armed Forces of the New Forces (FAFN) members had been redeployed to Abidjan.
According to the Ivorian government, more than six million nationals have already registered to vote, representing about 70 percent of those thought to be eligible.
Authorities claim all preparations for the 29 November presidential polls are going according to plan and that no for rescheduling will be necessary. While the former northern rebels still not are fully disarmed - a peace agreement condition for holding elections - government instead counts on international support for full security measures during the polls.
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