NICHOLAS PHYTHIAN, Abidjan | Monday
A GROUP of Ivorian parties, labour unions and other groups has called for a worker stayaway in protest against what it says will be a sham presidential election on October 22.
A representative of the Forum grouping that called the ‘dead town’ protest said it aimed to bring economic life to a halt in protest at the elections, ”whose results are known in advance”.
The Supreme Court has allowed only five candidates out of 19 to stand for the presidency, including military ruler General Robert Guei.
Guei’s foes are counting on a low turnout to demonstrate what they say is the lack of credibility of the election. Under the constitution, Guei could win with a simple majority of those that turn out to vote.
But the formerly ruling Democratic Party (PDCI-RDA) says it intends to contest parliamentary elections in December to show that it remains the most popular political force.
Guei’s decision to run and a supreme court ruling barring all candidates of the PDCI-RDA, the country’s largest party, and others from the presidential race have raised hackles at home and abroad.
”The PDCI-RDA holds that there cannot be a credible election in Ivory Coast without its participation,” the party said in a statement calling on its supporters to boycott the vote.
The Rally of the Republicans (RDR) of former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara, whose plan to run had split the country along ethnic and religious lines, has followed suit.
The PDCI-RDA and RDR accounted for well over two thirds of votes cast in a 1995 parliamentary election, which all parties contested and was the last real test of party support.
Next Sunday’s election is the first of two called to restore civilian rule following Ivory Coast’s first coup on December 24 1999. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for December 10.
With the United States and the European Union freezing election aid there has been a question mark over the funding of the vote. The National Election Commission has sponsored a telethon to raise money and asked for volunteer poll officials. – Reuters