UN's Ban recognizes Ouattara as winner of presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire

[News_Editor]

UN's Ban recognizes Ouattara as winner of presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire

2010-12-04 04:30:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday announced his recognition and approval of the results of the run-off election in Côte d'Ivoire and congratulated Alassane Ouattara for his victory.

Ban recognized Ouattara as president-elect after receiving his Special Representative’s analysis and evaluation of the November 28 run-off presidential election. The report took into account all aspects of the outcome of the election and is in accordance with the announcement made by the president of the Independent Electoral Commission.

On Thursday, the country's Electoral Commission announced that the former Prime Minister Ouattara won 54 percent of the vote while president Gbagbo received 46 percent. Ouattara was the candidate of the 'Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix' (RHDP) party.

President Gbagbo previously announced that he will challenge the results of the election process over fraud allegations from the opposition. Gbagbo also vowed for the annulment of votes in four regions.

The UN Secretary-General called upon President Gbagbo to do his part for the benefit of Côte d’Ivoire and to cooperate in a smooth political transition. Ban emphasized that the will of the Ivorian people must be respected as they demonstrated an active participation in the historic presidential elections.

In regards to post-election violence, Ban called for accepting the certified results and urged citizens and political parties to refrain from any violence or action that would cause any disruption in society. He warned that those who may incite or perpetrate violence that they will be held accountable.

The elections are considered a major step in restoring stability in the country, which was split by civil war into a Government-held south and rebel Forces Nouvelles-controlled north in 2002. The landmark election initially had fourteen candidates.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-12-04