UN Security Council concerned about delayed elections in Coite d'Ivoire

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday expressed concern at the continuous postponement of elections in Cote d'Ivoire where recent protests have turned violent.

"The members of the Security Council recalled their previous statements and expressed their concern at the continuing delays in the electoral process since January 2010," said a statement read out to the press by Ambassador Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet of Gabon, who holds the rotating Council presidency for March.

The ouncil "urged the Ivorian stakeholders to revive this process without delay and to remain within the framework of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement and of the previous peace agreements endorsed by the Security Council."

Under the Ouagadougou Political Agreement with the African Union, the Ivorian presidential elections should be held by May 2010.

But Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cote d' Ivoire Y.J. Choi told reporters after briefing the Council that the prospect for elections before May is "not encouraging."

The Security Council reiterated its calls for all Ivorian stakeholders to fully support the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to complete the final voters list in the coming weeks.

They stressed that the provisional list of 5.3 million voters has been supported by the members of the Permanent Consultative Framework, certified by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and welcomed by the Security Council.

Last month, Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo dissolved the government and the IEC, which he accused of fraudulently adding more than 400,000 names to the electoral roll. The move cast doubt on when the long-delayed elections would occur. No date has yet been set.

The long-awaited elections threatens national reconciliation and has thrown the West African country into a series of violent episodes.

Choi warned the Council that "the current election- reunification dynamics may cause additional violent demonstrations and casualties."

The members of the Security Council urged all Ivorians "to refrain from the use of violence and to respect the full rights of their compatriots, including during the electoral process," said Issoze-Ngondet.

"The members will follow up closely the situation, in particular the security conditions on the ground and the progress of the electoral process," he added.

Source: Xinhua