afrol News, 19 August - Côte d'Ivoire’s Justice Minister has announced the extension of identification process for eligible voters ahead of much-delayed presidential elections due on 30 November this year.

According to government statement, fifty teams will be deployed from 27 August to 12 September charged with including those left during identification process in May which included 660 000 voters.

Voter identification was part of the brokered peace deal signed in March 2007 between president Laurent Gbagbo and former rebel leader Guillaume Soro, who is now the country's Prime Minister.

Parties agreed on a voter identification process that would issue digital identity cards to all eligible voters in the country's 19-million population.

The operation has been repeatedly extended and officials have complained that they do not have financial and logistical means enabling the 111 teams of judges to cover the country properly.

United Nations mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has extended its mandate of its peacekeeping mission in the country in July to assist in 30 November presidential polls.

UNOCI is expected to assist West African country to conduct presidential elections in a free and fair way, as well as support its armed forces until 31 January 2009.

Ivorian political parties and groups were forced to progress faster in their reconciliation process, which includes dismantling militias, demobilising and disarming former fighters, restoring state authority across country and registering voters before polls.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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