Abidjan - Cote d'Ivoire — At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Cote-d'Ivoire and in conformity with the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, the President of ECOWAS Commission, H.E. James Victor Gbeho, deployed an Observer Mission to monitor the presidential election of 31 October 2010 in Cote-d'Ivoire. Led by Professor Theodore Holo, President of the High Court of Justice of Benin, this Mission seeks to ensure a smooth electoral process and guarantee a free, transparent and credible election.

Two hundred (200) observers from different and varied expertise were mobilized in this regard from all the ECOWAS Member States, with the exception of Cote- d'Ivoire. Thus, the Mission comprised inter alia members of ECOWAS Court of Justice headed by its President, Honourable Justice Mrs. Awa Nana Daboya, Community Parliamentarians and Member States, members of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, lawyers and members of civil society. The Mission also included members of National Electoral Commissions from the region, Ambassadors of ECOWAS Member States accredited to Cote-d'Ivoire as well as experts in election observation.

Observers will be deployed in the nineteen (19) regions of the country in order to observe and monitor pre-electoral, electoral and post-electoral polling operations and assess the conduct of the election. The assessment will be on the regularity, transparency, fairness and good conduct of the presidential poll at the end of which the Mission will make its opinion known and, if necessary, make recommendations to the Ivorian Government. Present on the Ivorian territory since 25 October 2010, and until the declaration of results, the ECOWAS Observer Mission through its Leader will hold a press conference on the general conduct of the poll on 1st November 2010. The ECOWAS Commission urges candidates, political party leaders as well as their supporters and sympathizers to exercise restrain so that the poll takes place in peace, tranquility and serenity.