Abidjan, 08 October 2009... The presentation of the electronic version of the provisional electoral list is a major step forward in the electoral process, the spokesperson of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Hamadoun Touré, said on Thursday in Abidjan.

Speaking during the Mission's weekly press conference, Mr. Touré said that as a response to this, UNOCI encouraged the current efforts to have the provisional electoral list published and posetd as soon as possible and would continue its efforts to support the authorities and institutions involved in this task. In this regard, Mr. Touré added that "the human and logistical resources of the Mission have been mobilized to ensure that the operations are carried out under the best conditions".

Responding to a question concerning the 2.752.000 persons who were not found on the files which served as references during the processing of data from the identification and voters' registration operation, the spokesman said that UNOCI chose to trust the technicians in charge of finding solutions in accordance with the modus operandi but also according to the creative imagination of Ivoirians. He reiterated "UNOCI's availability, if it is requested, to help within the limits of its resources and mandate".

Questioned on fears that the fate of these 2.752.000 persons could lead to problems, Mr. Touré said that UNOCI did not wish to add to the tension. He suggested allowing the technicians to do their work rather than developing hypotheses and comments which could cause tension.

The Spokesman said that within the framework of its logistical support, UNOCI had transported the final load of electoral equipment to Yamoussoukro on Thursday. "All in all, UNOCI will have removed and transported 76 containers containing polling booths, ballot boxes and kits, to warehouses in Abidjan and Yamoussoukro".

Earlier, Mr. Toure announced that the Special Representative, Y. J. Choi, would present the 22nd United Nations Secretary-General's report on UNOCI next week at the UN Security Council in New York. He explained that Mr. Choi would give a summary of the progress so far and also highlight the challenges that need to be met in order for the electoral process to succeed.

Concerning the date of 29 November for the holding of the presidential election, Mr. Touré said that UNOCI had no reason to doubt that it would be respected. UNOCI's role is to do everything to support the Ivorian partners in this regard, he concluded.