UN will not coordinate observers for Côte d'Ivoire's presidential elections
18 October -- The United Nations has decided that it will not coordinate electoral observers for Côte d'Ivoire's upcoming presidential elections, a UN spokesman announced today.
According to UN officials, the decision was taken because so many countries and organizations that were providing observers and funding for Sunday's presidential elections have withdrawn their support. Among those who have declined to send observers are the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the Francophonie as well as non-governmental organizations such as the National Democratic Institute of the United States.
The UN will continue to provide limited technical assistance to Côte d'Ivoire's National Electoral Commission, a body which enjoys the support of all parties. The technical assistance is aimed at strengthening the structure of the Commission and enhancing its capacity to organize future elections.
Earlier this month, Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly deplored the fact that many candidates representing important political parties would be excluded from Côte d'Ivoire's upcoming presidential elections.
In his statement of 9 October, the Secretary-General recalled that the UN had repeatedly demanded that the authorities in Côte d'Ivoire work on a political transition leading to a return to constitutional legality, based on democratic elections for the President and legislature that are open and transparent.
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