Long delays in Central African Republic elections

[News_Editor]

Long delays in Central African Republic elections

2011-01-23 23:00:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGUI (BNO NEWS) -- Voters faced long delays at polling booths on Sunday during the presidential and legislative election in the Central African Republic, local Radio Ndeke Luka reported.

Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. local time without any major incidents, despite some difficulties. There were reports of long delays in many voting stations and complaints voiced were mainly that the voter lists were not posted, and that election material was not ready when the polls opened.

Some polling stations opened their doors with delays because of difficulties encountered in the deployment of equipment. In one district, only 9 polling stations, out of 15, were working. Meanwhile, in another station, voters had difficulty understanding the voter list.

According to official figures, there are 4,370 polling stations across the country and 1.8 million eligible voters registered to cast ballots. There were no figures on the turnout yet, but the radio station reported that attendance at polling stations was significant.

The only major incident reported so far was a confrontation between two candidates in a voting center near the capital. One of the legislative candidates, who according to reports is the current Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, waved a gun and threatened his challenger, who is an independent candidate. The incident happened in front of voters, journalists, and international observers.

A total of 868 politicians are running for the 105 seats in the National Assembly, the country's parliament.

The presidential election involves incumbent President Francois Bozize, who seized control in 2003 and consolidated his position with an election victory in 2005, and ex-president Ange-Felix Patasse, an independent candidate who just returned from exile. Other candidates are ex-prime minister Martin Ziguele of the Movement for the Liberation of Central African People (MLPC), ex-head of rebels Jean Jacques Demafouth of the People's Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) and Gros Raymond Nakombo of the New Progressive Alliance (ANP).

The country has been through a series of coups and revolts since its independence from France in 1960, and it is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite its rich natural resources. Observers hope the current elections will bring stability to the country.

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