Abidjan, 11 November 2009... The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Côte d'Ivoire, YJ. Choi, launched the transportation of the electoral list throughout the country by the Mission on Wednesday in Abidjan.

Mr. Choi described the day as "historic", during a ceremony at the headquarters of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) from where the first two trucks left to go to Adzopé and Bondoukou. "In a few days we will be able to see the provisional electoral list posted in the 10,818 polling stations", he said, adding that UNOCI's transport support will be done by road, river as well as air.

The Head of UNOCI also welcomed the quality of the work accomplished during the previous phases through which a solid foundation has been laid for production of a definitive, reliable and credible electoral list. "This will be a solid basis for having the presidential election within a few weeks, because there are just three remaining technical steps, namely the production of the national identity cards and voters' cards, their distribution and then the campaign", explained Mr. Choi.

As for the last challenge concerning the appeals process, Mr. Choi said he had confidence in the political culture of the Ivorian people who, according to him, favoured peace over violence.