Ivory Coast Names New
Polls Commission
Authorities
in Ivory Coast have announced a new election commission, a move
seen as route to ending disputes that have threatened the
country's peace process.
The new head of the independent electoral commission was
selected after late night discussions between the opposition,
ex-rebels and allies of the president.
The consensus comes two days after a new unity government was
announced - the previous one had been sacked along with
commission.
The new head, Youssouf Bakayoko, was foreign minister until a
fortnight ago. He is a member of the opposition Democratic Party
of Ivory Coast (PDCI).
Bone of contention
Voter registration has been at the heart of the dispute.
The presidential camp accused the previous electoral commission
head, Robert Mambe, of fraudulently trying to add 429,000
names to the electoral roll.
The crisis began two weeks ago, when President Laurent Gbagbo
dissolved the previous body, accusing it of fraud and towing to
opposition demands.
Mr. Gbagbo's decision led to deadly protests across the country.
The new commission's leadership team remains dominated by the
opposition.
Elections have again been postponed and no new date has been
set, although officials say it could be held in April or May.
Polls to end the crisis sparked by the 2002 civil war have now
been put back six times.
BBC/Yinka
