Abidjan, 22 September 2009... The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y. J. Choi, received the new Chairperson of the Constitutional Council, Paul Yao N'Dré, on Tuesday, less than one month after the latter was sworn in.

"We came to lay the foundations for strengthening collaboration with a view to the definitive return of peace in Côte d'Ivoire and to seal a genuine partnership for the certification of elections," Yao N'Dré told the press.

The chairman of the Constitutional Council, who was at the head of a delegation of about 10 councillors, stressed the need for the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the institution that he leads to be part of the same dynamic. "If we are on the same wavelength, that will mean that things went well," he said. In this context, he added, UNOCI and the Constitutional Council each has its role to play.

During the meeting, the UNOCI chief, who is charged with certifying the electoral process, reiterated his determination to cooperate with the Constitutional Council in order to make sure that the results of the elections correspond to the reality of the polls" and that "the winner remains the winner". Non-democratic contestation of the poll will not be admitted, Mr. Choi said.

Mr. N'Dré was appointed chairman of the Constitutional Council on 8 August 2009 and was sworn in on 26 August 2009.