afrol News, 1 March - The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, has hailed the Ivorian government and opposition parties’ agreement on a new government and electoral body, paving a way for the long delayed national polls.

According to statement from the bloc, the government and opposition parties have demonstrated a commitment towards ending the long dragging political crisis in the West Africa state.

The statement urged the parties to continue to show flexibility and understanding in resolving the other outstanding issues, especially those relating to the voters' register and an agreement on a firm date for the election as soon as possible.

Last week, the former interior minister and candidate from the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire, Issouf Bakayoko, was elected to head the country’s Independent Electoral Commission.

The country which was divided into two before the peace deal had been without a government or electoral body since President Laurent Gbagbo dissolved them on 12 February.

Mr Gbagbo accused the electoral body head of manipulating the electoral lists in favour of the opposition.

Côte d'Ivoire’s elections originally intended to be held as far back as 2005 have been repeatedly postponed.

Frustration is growing at years of delays to a vote meant to restore peace to West Africa's former economic hub, after a 2002-3 war divided it between President Gbagbo's government and rebels who controlled the north.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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