Duekoué, 24 November 2009... The awareness-raising campaign for a peaceful electoral environment of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), named "UNOCI Tour" made a stop on Tuesday, 23 November 2009 in Pinhou, a village situated 12 km from Duekoué.

In Pinhou, UNOCI's Public Information Officer based in Duekoué and the chairman of the local independent electoral commission, Glou Hubert, asked people to consult the provisional electoral lists posted in collection centres. They informed them on how to make an appeal if they need to do so. Addressing the population in French and in the local language, Mr. Glou urged them to be disciplined in order to participate actively and sensibly in the election. The chairman of the local IEC welcomed UNOCI's initiative to establish a community sensitization programme. "Our people are left on their own without any information. This kind of activity teaches them to better understand the events around them as actors and beneficiaries", he said.

Ms. Flora Touali from the Human Rights Division, called on the villagers in Pinhou to carry out their civil duty in peace. She denounced the various violent events in homes as well as in the village.

The village chief, Kod Tahe Adrien, and his official, Nahi Pierre, expressed their satisfaction at the information given during the session. They appealed for more sensitization sessions on human rights to be organized in Pinhou.

The UNOCI delegation was composed of representatives of the Human Rights Division and the Public Information Office, who were accompanied by the chairman of the local independent electoral commission in Duekoué.

UNOCI Tour is aimed at informing the population of the Mission's contribution to the crisis-resolution process and sensitizing them in the need to establish a peaceful electoral environment.