Bissau - Guinea Bissau — The 80-member ECOWAS Election Observation Mission says the 18th March 2012 presidential election in Guinea Bissau was "conducted under acceptable conditions of freedom and transparency."
The Mission in its Preliminary Declaration presented at a press conference on Monday, 19th March 2012 in the capital Bissau by the Head of the Observation Mission, General Salou Djibo, noted the orderliness that prevailed throughout the voting process as well as the availability of adequate voting materials in most of the polling stations covered.
The Mission also acknowledged the professionalism displayed by electoral officers, the presence of representatives of candidates in most of the polling stations, patrol of law enforcement officers around most of the polling areas as well as the smooth process of counting and collating of votes in accordance with the country's electoral law.
General Djibo, who explained that the ECOWAS observers were deployed throughout the country except the Bolama-Bijagos region, however, noted the delays at some polling stations due mainly to logistical problems and transportation of materials, as well as a case of lack of ballot box in one polling station in Curva Samba in the Mangoa region. There were also duplication of names and numbers of voter cards in the electoral lists in some polling stations. In addition, he said the Mission also noted the absence of domestic observers during the voting process.
In spite of theses, General Djibo said "there were no major obstacles or incidents likely to affect the regularity of the voting process." He commended the authorities of Guinea Bissau and other stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the calm and peaceful atmosphere in which the election was conducted, and also lauded the sense of responsibility and discipline demonstrated by voters in exercising their civic rights. In particular, the Head of Mission highlighted the "active" participation of women in the voting process.
He praised the National Electoral Commission for successfully organizing the election "despite the limited time-frame prescribed by the law," adding: "The Mission considers this election as fundamental, not only for the consolidation of democratic governance in Guinea Bissau but also for national cohesion and reconstruction.
" While expressing the hope that the election would pave the way for further political, economic and security reforms needed for the development of the country, General Djibo called on the citizens, political leaders and their supporters "to refrain from any acts of violence, intimidation or provocation in this critical phase of peace-building in the interest of the nation."
He exhorted them to always ensure respect for order and discipline, and urged all "forces" involved in the security process to pursue their joint efforts "in strict republican spirit." Similarly, General Djibo enjoined all candidates to avail themselves of legal channels in the resolution of any electoral disputes which may arise.
