PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Seychelles Vice-President Meriton concludes evaluation mission to Comoros
Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) – Seychelles Vice-President Vincent Meriton and current chairman of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Council of Ministers Wednesday ended a five-day assessment mission to the Comoros on the forthcoming elections in that country, a communiqué issued on Wednesday to PANA said.
The IOC said in the communiqué that the mission, which was conducted on 2 -6 February, was in conformity with the will expressed by the Union of Comoros to involve all its partners (states and multilateral organizations) in the process to ensure that the elections to be held in March and April on the island were free and fair.
During his visit, Mr Meriton held talks with all stakeholders, particularly the institutions in charge of the organization of the elections such as the National Independent Electoral Commission and its insular branches, the Supreme Court, Ministry of the Interior, candidates, heads of executives, as well as several local authorities.
"The IOC delegation took note of the demands expressed by all the parties and noted the different dispositions established by the Comoran government in view to guarantee free and fair elections," the communiqué stated.
During talks with the different actors on the process, Mr Meriton insisted on respect by the IOC for the sovereignty of Comoros.
He also expressed the availability of the Commission, as a regional proxy organization, to complement the work already undertaken by the Comoran authorities and all stakeholders.
At the end of his talks with the Comoran president, Azali Assoumani, at the presidential palace of Beit-Salam, Mr Meriton said he was pleased with the quality of the exchanges and the firm commitment of the chairman of the Union of Comoros to maintain dialogue with the Comoran political class for peaceful elections and prevent any post-electoral dispute.
-0- PANA NA/IS/MSA/RA 6Feb2019
The IOC said in the communiqué that the mission, which was conducted on 2 -6 February, was in conformity with the will expressed by the Union of Comoros to involve all its partners (states and multilateral organizations) in the process to ensure that the elections to be held in March and April on the island were free and fair.
During his visit, Mr Meriton held talks with all stakeholders, particularly the institutions in charge of the organization of the elections such as the National Independent Electoral Commission and its insular branches, the Supreme Court, Ministry of the Interior, candidates, heads of executives, as well as several local authorities.
"The IOC delegation took note of the demands expressed by all the parties and noted the different dispositions established by the Comoran government in view to guarantee free and fair elections," the communiqué stated.
During talks with the different actors on the process, Mr Meriton insisted on respect by the IOC for the sovereignty of Comoros.
He also expressed the availability of the Commission, as a regional proxy organization, to complement the work already undertaken by the Comoran authorities and all stakeholders.
At the end of his talks with the Comoran president, Azali Assoumani, at the presidential palace of Beit-Salam, Mr Meriton said he was pleased with the quality of the exchanges and the firm commitment of the chairman of the Union of Comoros to maintain dialogue with the Comoran political class for peaceful elections and prevent any post-electoral dispute.
-0- PANA NA/IS/MSA/RA 6Feb2019
