Abuja — In pursuance of the provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001), the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. James Victor GBEHO will deploy a mission of sixty (60) observers from 8 - 13 December 2011 to oversee the legislative election of 11 December 2011 in Cote d'Ivoire at the special request of that Government.
This Mission which is to be led by Professor Theodore HOLO, President of the High Court of Justice of the Republic of Benin, will consist of representatives of ECOWAS Parliament, ECOWAS Court of Justice, ECOWAS Council of Wise as well as Electoral Experts from Member States.
More than One thousand (1000) candidates from thirty five (35) political parties will contest the two hundred and fifty-five (255) parliamentary seats throughout the country. This election is taking place at a crucial time in the stabilization process of the country and will represent a milestone in the final exit from the recent Ivorian crisis. It will also constitute an important step in the participation by all stakeholders in national reconstruction and socio- economic development as well as the overall consolidation of democracy in Cote d'Ivoire.
ECOWAS hereby appeal to all the candidates, their followers and supporters to maintain peace and order throughout the electoral process.