MaximsNewsNetwork: COTE D'IVOIRE - YESTERDAY's HISTORIC ELECTIONS (ONUCI)

MaximsNewsNetwork: 01 November 2010 -- ONUCI: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire - United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon today (1 November) commended the people of the Côte d'Ivoire for the peaceful conduct of yesterday's historic elections, as he reaffirmed the United Nations' continued commitment to assisting the West African country emerge from its devastating civil conflict; initial reports indicate that the vote was conducted in peace, and voters expressed hope for the future of the troubled former French colony.

Yesterday's presidential election was originally scheduled for as far back as 2005 and had been repeatedly postponed.

The Special Representative of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi visited several polling stations in Abidjan.

Choi will continue, in the context of his certification mandate, all efforts to safeguard the process through the counting and certification phases.

Two of the fourteen presidential candidates, Henri Konan Bedie and Alassane D. Ouattara voted at the same polling station at the Lycée Sainte Marie in Cocody.

Speaking to the press, they expressed their satisfaction with the process and with the fact that the elections finally took place.

Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo, who along with Bedie and Ouattara are the expected front runners, also showed up to vote, drawing the attention of dozens of journalists

The Secretary-General called on all parties and candidates to help maintain a calm environment and urged them to accept the proclaimed and certified results, filing any complaints through the legally-established mechanisms.

He also pledged the United Nations continued support for the peace process in the country, which was split by civil war into a Government-held south and rebel Forces Nouvelles-controlled north in 2002.

An additional 500 troops are in the country to reinforce the 8,650-strong UN peacekeeping force (UNOCI), and assist with security during the election period. A second round of voting is scheduled for 28 November if the 31 October poll does not produce a clear winner.

SOUNDBITE (French) Pacome Lokpo Lokpo, Voter:
"I come to vote for my candidate. I would like that peace returns to the country."

SOUNDBITE (French) Y.J. Choi, Secretary-General Special Representative for Cote d'Ivoire:
"The big day arrived. It is necessary to control passion and emotion. They vote in peace and discipline, really it is necessary to congratulate the people of Côte d'Ivoire."

SOUNDBITE (French) Henri Konan Bedie, Presidential Candidate:
"We are pleased to have done our duty. We are also relieved after so many years of waiting and postponement of elections"

SOUNDBITE (French) Alassane Dramane Ouattara, Presidential Candidate:
"I consider this day of the first round of the presidential election, is a great day for Côte d'Ivoire. I am glad that this is done in peace, the information we received confirms this and I want to say that this is an opportunity for our countrymen to proceed towards real change."

...... ( Opération des Nations Unies en Côte d'Ivoire: ONUCI ) ............................................

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Laurent Gbagbo président.