afrol News, 19 February - Guinea-Bissau's long expected legislative elections, which are to be organised on 28 March, will not be delayed another time. The National Electoral Commission (CNE) assures that the process is on schedule and that Guinea-Bissau can return to an elected government within short.

According to Maria do Ceu Monteiro, the newly elected head of Guinea-Bissau's Supreme Court, today is the last day for Bissauan political parties to register their candidates if they want to be eligible for the 28 March poll. After today's deadline, no party or candidate could be registered with the CNE, Ms Monteiro announced last week.

Meanwhile, the electoral commission has assured the update of the poorly managed electoral rolls and organised workshops to sensitise stakeholders on a transparent and fair election process.

The President of the National Electoral Commission, Higinio Cardoso, yesterday told the French news agency AFP that the poll exercise was "on schedule". Mr Cardoso said there would be no more delays and that the Commission was well prepared to "avoid fraud" attempts during the election.

Also the Bissauan transitional President, Henrique Rosa, this week told the press that his country now was well prepared to organise free and fair elections. "We wish that the next elections occur in peace, that they are free, fair and transparent," President Rosa said after having met a West African delegation that had visited Bissau to be updated on the poll's preparations.

The current election date was agreed upon and announced by Mr Rosa early in December last year. According to the constitution of Guinea-Bissau, presidential elections must be held at least 12 months after legislative elections.

It has been an issue of great prestige for the government of President Rosa to deliver on the national and international expectations on a rapid and well organised poll. Guinea-Bissau has been waiting to organise legislative elections since November 2002, when then-President Kumba Yala fired his government.

President Yala at that moment promised new elections within 90 day and 20 April 2003 was set as election day. As the political situation in Guinea-Bissau grew more and more unstable, the poll was postponed several times. President Yala blamed the Electoral Commission, saying electoral rolls were not up to date - an explanation that was contested by many stakeholders.

The growing political and economic instability and in particular Mr Yala's seeming unwillingness to organise elections in September last year led to a military coup in Guinea-Bissau. The popular coup-makers within short installed a civilian transition government of national unity, headed by President Rosa.

One of the principal aims of the transitional government has been the organisation of free and fair legislative elections and a rapid return to democracy. Mr Rosa's guarantees of such a poll have also led to an international tolerance of the unconstitutional transition government in Guinea-Bissau.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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