CAR To Hold Elections in October?

Central Africa  |  06.17.10   By Kevin Johnson-Azuara

The Central African Republic electoral commission has proposed that delayed presidential and parliamentary polls be held on October 24, saying it should be able to organize them by then.

The Independent Electoral Commission agreed on the date Wednesday, but still needs final approval from President Francois Bozize, said commission spokesman Rigobert Vondo.

The commission has twice cancelled elections in April and May, pleading lack of funds and insufficient resources to organize the vote.

“The commissioners are convinced that by October 24, organizational constraints and security and budgetary concerns will have been dealt with, and the elections can be organized to everybody’s satisfaction,” Vondo said.

After the last postponement in May, a constitutional law to extend Bozize’s mandate and those of parliamentary deputies was passed.

Bozize had been due to step down on June 11.

Bozize, who took power in a military coup in 2003 and was then elected head of state in 2005, plans to seek a new term but said last week that any polls must “take account of the development of security conditions.”

He said the election date depended on progress in a disarmament program under way for rebels in the landlocked and deeply poor nation.

Most rebel movements have signed up to the program launched in 2009 to enable the disarmament of more than 8,100 fighters from five movements, which have reached a peace accord with the government.

The head of the biggest former rebel movement, former defense minister Jean-Jacques Demafouth, is challenging Bozize at the polls.

The other main candidates who have announced they will stand are former president Ange-Felix Patasse, who was ousted by Bozize in 2003, and former prime minister Martin Ziguele

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