Abidjan, 23 November 2009... The Special Representative of the UN Secretary- General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y. J. Choi, on Monday, visited two centres in Abidjan where the provisional electoral list had been posted.

Accompanied by the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Robert Beugré Mambé, Mr. Choi went to the centres at the Lycée technique and the Lycée Sainte-Marie, both in the Cocody neighbourhood.

The head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) welcomed this phase of the electoral process, which he said was further proof that the presidential election was just around the corner. The election are at hand, they are almost palpable and UNOCI will provide security for them, said Mr. Choi. "We have analysed the provisional list, it is a solid basis for a definitive electoral list," he said, adding that he had not noticed any political manipulation of the list.

He recalled that after this technical phase, everyone should start thinking about the production and distribution of voters' cards, which will be followed by two weeks of campaigning, which would precede the presidential election.

For his part, the IEC Chairman said that this phase, which heralds the holding of elections in the very near future, is a challenge which can be overcome very easily with the support of all the partners in the electoral process, including UNOCI. With regard to the fixing of a new date for the presidential election, Mr. Mambé was reassuring: "We will give a precise date once the relevant decree has been signed," he said.