As part of its mandate, the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) is providing logistical support to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). At the request of the IEC, UNOCI has so far transported electoral material to 108 districts.



From 16 to 22 October 2015, UNOCI Force contributed to security provisions for the transportation of electoral material. During this period the different battalions of the UN Mission deployed patrols along the roads used.



UNOCI is also part of the general election security plan. The UN Mission will intervene in third position, after the Ivorian police and gendarmerie and the Forces Républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire – Republican Forces of Côte d'Ivoire.



Some 6000 UNOCI blue helmets will be mobilised in this regard. They will be from the Military Force and UN Police and will provide security in areas considered to be sensitive by UNOCI. They will also carry out day and night patrols in areas considered more or less sensitive. In addition, there will be rapid reaction elements who will be pre-positioned in the larger cities and they will be ready to intervene by road or by air as part of UNOCI's protection of civilians mandate.



During the polls, UNOCI will have no presence in the polling stations. However, the UN Mission will provide assistance to the IEC in transporting tally sheets back to Abidjan from 11 localities, namely Abengourou, Bouaké, Bouna, Daloa, Gagnoa, Man, Odienné, San Pedro, Séguéla, Korhogo and Yamoussoukro.



Since 12 October, ONUCI Fm has been broadcasting a daily Election News programme after the main news at 8 a.m and 6 p.m. The Election News programme provides practical information on the voting process, vox pop on people's concerns and expectations, interviews with key civil society actors, the IEC and profiles on the different presidential candidates contesting the polls on 25 October 2015.



With regard to the Mission's sensitisation and information campaign, ONUCI FM correspondents throughout the country have been covering the different stages of the electoral process to ensure that voters have a better understanding of the major issues at play, their rights as well as their responsibilities.



As part of the Mission's protection of civilian mandate as decided by the United Nations Security Council, the head of UNOCI, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, and the different Mission components, such as the Human Rights Division, the Civil Affairs and Security Reform Sections, UN Police (UNPOL), the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Division, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and the Conduct and Discipline Unit, have all organised several activities throughout the country for local people, local government and administrative authorities, traditional and community chiefs, religious leaders, elected officials, local dignitaries, political groups and parties, as well as the media to strengthen their commitment to consolidate peace and social cohesion and promote a peaceful electoral environment.