Synopsis
On April 12, the United Nations renewed its call for a credible electoral process in Gabon ahead of the presidential election. Abdou Abarry emphasized the importance of reflecting the people's will and ensuring dialogue among stakeholders.Key Takeaways
- UN emphasizes a credible electoral process.
- Election results must reflect the Gabonese people's will.
- Dialogue and consensus are vital for resolving disputes.
- Nguema, a coup leader, is among the candidates.
- Polling stations are set up for over 920,000 voters.
United Nations, April 12 (NationPress) Abdou Abarry, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Africa and head of the United Nations regional office for Central Africa, has reiterated the need for a credible, inclusive, transparent, and sincere electoral process ahead of Gabon's presidential election scheduled for Saturday.
In a statement released on Friday, Abarry emphasized that the election results should truly reflect the will freely expressed by the Gabonese citizens, encouraging all participants to prioritize dialogue, consultation, and consensus if any disagreements or disputes arise during the electoral process.
The special representative also expressed his commitment to assist the Gabonese people in their pursuit of returning to constitutional order and acknowledged the progress made to adhere to the transition timeline, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The electoral campaign, lasting 14 days, concluded with eight candidates competing for the presidency, including the transitional President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
Nguema, who orchestrated a coup on August 30, 2023, has stepped down from military service, as the Electoral Code permits military members to run for the presidency after taking a leave of absence from active duty.
Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the former prime minister under ousted President Ali Bongo, has emerged as a key contender.
The Interior Ministry of Gabon reported that 3,037 polling stations will be active on Saturday, both domestically and internationally, with 2,941 located within Gabon and 96 at overseas missions, catering to a total of 920,200 registered voters.
Voting is scheduled to commence at 7 a.m. local time and conclude at 6:00 p.m. local time, with possible extensions as per the Electoral Code. A total of 48 national and international observer missions have been accredited.
In a significant shift from past elections, Gabon will not enforce border closures or internet restrictions, and businesses will remain operational, according to the ministry. The Gabonese government stated that the peaceful environment signifies the nation’s dedication to democratic values and civic freedoms.
As per the Electoral Code, a runoff will occur if no candidate achieves a clear majority in the initial round.
