Abidjan, 29 July 2010... The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) has observed that the appeals process on the new provisional electoral list has started and is going on without major incident, its spokesman Hamadoun Touré said on Thursday in Abidjan at the Mission's weekly press conference.

With regard to the appeals process, Mr. Touré said that the Mission had also noticed a low turnout. However, he said, that UNOCI believed that what seems to be a lack of interest on the part of the population, could improve with a sensitization and information campaign on the modalities of the current process.

In this regard, the Mission's spokesman reaffirmed UNOCI's availability to accompany the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in carrying out its sensitization and information campaign on the appeals process on the new provisional electoral list.

Mr. Touré also invited the population, the Ivorian parties and the institutions involved in the appeals process, to fully implement it, so that it is "held with calm and serenity and leads to the production of a definitive electoral list as soon as possible".

On the issue of security arrangements for elections and the cantonment of elements of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN), the Mission's spokesperson announced that UNOCI Force Commander General Abdul Hafiz would participate in the meeting of the four generals in Yamoussoukro tomorrow. The UN Police Commissioner, Jean-Marie Bourry, will also attend the meeting.

Together they will examine a report on the verification of the FAFN cantonment conducted by UNOCI, Licorne and the Integrated Command Centre (ICC) at the 4th Instruction Group in Korhogo. They will also hear a presentation on the budget for the cantonment by the FAFN Chief of Staff General Soumaila Bakayoko.

The four generals and Commissioner Bourry will discuss measures for the acquisition of material for the maintenance of law and order. They will also be given a presentation by the UN police on a proposed training programme on maintenance of law and order to be provided by the Impartial Forces. Finally they will discuss the implementation of the ICC's security plan for elections.

Mr. Touré also informed the press that the Nigerien battalion based in Korhogo was providing free medical assistance for detainees from the local prison in the northern city on Thursday 29 July 2010.

"The operation which is being led by Colonel Doctor Adama Moussa will give 24 prisoners the opportunity to receive free care and medication," he said.

UNOCI also welcomed the release of the journalists of the daily newspaper Le Nouveau Courrier, the spokesperson said. "Since the journalists were arrested, the Mission had been closely following the situation through its Human Rights Division, Rule of Law Unit and Public Information Office," he said adding that "UNOCI hopes that the successful conclusion of the case will reinforce the respect of freedom of the press in the country, in accordance with Ivorian law".