Côte d’Ivoire: President Ouattara seeks international support for Ivorian presidential election

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (PANA) – Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara on Monday urged the international community to back the country's Independent Electoral Commission in preparation for the presidential election, due to be held in October this year.

Addressing the diplomatic corps accredited to Côte d’Ivoire at a New Year reception, Ouattara said: “I urge all countries and organizations which you represent to back the efforts of the Independent Electoral Commission and the government in terms of support to the presidential election.”

According to the president, one of the challenges facing his nation this year is the presidential election, to which efforts should be devoted to ensure total normalcy and democratic reconstruction in order to establish and strengthen national cohesion.

Pledging the guarantee for inclusive, free and fair election in accordance with international norms, President Ouattara praised the return into of the opposition into the Electoral Commission and welcomed the UN electoral observation missions and the International Francophone Organization (OIF).

-0- PANA BAL/IS/MSA/AR 5Jan2015