Cote d'Ivoire: Uncertainty And Fear Over Failure To Announce Poll Results

24 October 2000
allAfrica.com
By Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

Abidjan — Uncertainty, indecision and confusion are the order of the day in Abidjan where the results of Sunday's presidential election are still awaited, 48hrs after the poll.

Interim results given on Monday during the count put opposition FPI candidate Laurent Gbagbo well ahead of military ruler Robert Guei. But it is now apparent that no votes were counted at the national electoral commission during Monday afternoon and it is not clear whether the count is complete or whether it has been interrupted.

National television announced Monday night, instead of the scheduled news bulletin, that the publication of the results would continue and the nation would be informed of developments, without saying when that would happen.

The declaration followed an afternoon of tension when soldiers marched into headquarters of the National Electoral Commission (CNE) and ordered staff to stop broadcasting election results live. They barred journalists from the building - already guarded by the military - and reinforced troops at strategic locations throughout Abidjan, including the Commission.

Late Monday the CNE building was reopened to journalists shortly before being closed for the day (after 10pm) with instructions for them to return at 11am today, Tuesday.

Shortly before 11am the chairman of the CNE, Honore Guié and other senior officials went into their offices, only to reappear at 1110 and go to the television studio in the building. Journalists were called together and told an important announcement was due. But after 25 minutes, an official announced there was a technical problem in the studio and the announcement was being deferred.

Rumours are rampant as reporters and members of the public alike, try to work out what is going on behind the scenes.

Abidjan is calm but uneasy. Although some have returned to work after yesterday's impromptu public holiday, there is considerable tension and many families have kept their children out of school. The streets are very quiet and one reporter was told by military personnel to go home because it wasn't safe to be out.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2000 allAfrica.com. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.