Military

DATE=10/23/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IVORY COAST-ELECTIONS (L-UPDATE)

BYLINE=LUIS RAMIREZ

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT:

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Soldiers in Ivory Coast have fired teargas on opposition demonstrators (Monday) as the government continues to delay announcing the results of Sunday's presidential election. V-O-A's Luis Ramirez reports from Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan.

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TEXT: Supporters of socialist Laurent Gbagbo, the only major candidate allowed to run against military ruler General Robert Guei, took to the streets Monday, driving around Abidjan in caravans, honking horns, and demanding that the government release election results quickly.

Early returns showed Mr. Gbagbo ahead of General Guei in the elections, which are intended to restore civilian rule to the West African country following its first coup last December.

More than a full day after the polls closed, the national election commission had still not announced the final results. The electoral commission closed the doors of the building in Abidjan where the votes are being tallied, evicting journalists and others for several hours Monday.

Soldiers fired tear gas at a group of Gbagbo supporters who tried to approach the building during the closure. The crowd was quickly dispersed.

In Abidjan's Plateau business district, several streets remain closed off with barbed wire barricades, and soldiers are on patrol across the city. The central district remained nearly deserted Monday after the government abruptly called a national holiday.

Mr. Gbagbo has vowed to send his supporters demonstrating in the streets if there is evidence of fraud in these elections. Speaking on Monday, the candidate said he was confident he had won the election.

General Guei last week said he would concede if he loses.

The general drew international criticism when he decided to run for president after earlier saying he would serve only as a transitional leader. His government drew further widespread condemnation when it barred most of his major opponents from running against him.

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