The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Thursday, 18 December 2014, opened a seminar to set up a platform of exchange between the United Nations, political actors and civil society groups on presidential elections in 2015 in Côte d'Ivoire at the headquarters of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).



The event was attended by the Minister of the Interior and Security, Mr. Ahmed Bakayoko, the President of the Constitutional Council, Professor Francis W. Wodié, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Mr. Youssouf Bakayoko, the Minister of State in the President's Office, Mr. Jeannot Ahoussou Kouadio, the Minister of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children, Mrs Anne Désiré Oulotto, the Minister of Communication and Deputy Government Spokesperson, Mrs Affoussiata Bamba Lamine, members of the diplomatic corps, the President of the National Commission of Human Rights and the Director-Coordinator of the National Programme for Social Cohesion. Also present were representatives of international organisations including the National Democratic Institute, (NDI), International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and United Nations agencies in Côte d'Ivoire, including the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women.



Initiated by UNOCI in partnership with the IEC, the event brought together all institutional, political and social actors involved in the electoral process under the theme : « Commitment of youths, women, electoral officials within political parties and groups for a peaceful electoral environment in Côte d'Ivoire ».



In her speech, the Special Representative recalled that « unfortunately, the context of an electoral period, often provokes emotional behaviour ». In this regard, Mrs Mindaoudou highlighted United Natiosn Security Council Resolution 2162, which « invites all concerned national parties to facilitate the creation of the right conditions for the holding of free, regular, transparent and open presidential elections « . She stressed that electoral rules, deontology and ethics should be observed which translates to national consultations so that the different actors will be committed to the electoral process. She then encouraged them to become resolutely involved in the creation of a peaceful environment, before, during and after the presidential election in 2015.



For his part, the IEC president, Mr. Youssouf Bakayoko, insisted that a framework to promote sensitisation, mobilisation, information and communication to prepare people's minds on the rules of democarcy be set up.



Speaking on behalf of the Ivorian Government, Interior and Security Minister Ahmed Bakayoko, highlighted the need for transparency in the organisation of the elections. « Elections which are being organised toady are not the same as those that were organised 20 years ago,» he said while insisting on the technical possibilities which offer the technological means to organise elections and announce the results.



During the two-day seminar, topics which provide a framework of reference and reflection and exchanges on activities that could be initiated from now on until elections in 2015, were discussed. This included a legal and institutional framework for elections and guarantee of transparency for peaceful elections in Côte d'Ivoire; the roles and responsibilities of political parties and groups in the conduct of a peaceful electoral process in Côte d'Ivoire; the contribution of political actors, civil society groups, youths and women to efforts to consolidate peace and social cohesion in Côte d'Ivoire in the perspective of peaceful presidential election in 2015; the actions of the National Programme for Social Cohesion for peaceful elections in 2015 and communication techniques for behaviour change for a peaceful electoral environment. A presentation on the UN Security Council Resolution 2162 on Côte d'ivoire was also provided during the event.



The different presentations were made by Professor Francis Wanga Wodié who is a lawyer and professor of law; Mr. Sourou Koné, first vice-president of the IEC, Mr. Yeo Adama, supervisor of the sub-commission on « civil rights and politics» at the National Human Rights Commission; Professor Koné Mariatou, Director-Coordinator of the National Programme for Social Cohesion and Mrs Oka Balima, Respresentative of UN Women, respectively. Mr. Kanyatsi Quentin, Country Director of Search For Common Ground also made a presentation on communication while Mr. Adedeji Ebo, head of UNOCI's Political Affairs Division spoke about SC Resolution 2162.



It should be noted contributions were made by international organisations such as National Democratic Institute, (NDI), the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and United Nations agencies, including UNDP and UN Women, as well as UNOCI officials during the encounter.



The event continues today with three workshops tasked with providing a workplan.