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UN chief calls for open, free, fair legislative elections in Cote d'Ivoire

Xinhua, November 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the announcement of the adoption of the new constitution in Cote d'Ivoire, and called for open, free and fair legislative elections in the weeks ahead.

The secretary-general, in a statement issued here by his spokesman, welcomed the adoption of the constitution by the country's Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) following the constitutional referendum held on Oct. 30.

"He notes with satisfaction that the new Constitution addresses some of the long-standing causes of tension and divisions in Cote d'Ivoire," said the statement.

"The secretary-general encourages all Ivorian parties, especially political leaders and their supporters to reject violence and refrain from the use of inflammatory and incendiary language," the statement said.

"He urges them to resolve any differences or disputes through constitutional means and pursue a political dialogue focused on the holding of open, free and fair legislative elections in the weeks ahead," it said.

Ban also reaffirmed the UN's continued commitment to support the consolidation of peace and stability in the West African country through his special representative and head of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire, the statement added.

The draft constitution was adopted in October by the National Assembly, but opposition parties have called for a boycott as they say the country already has one of the best constitutions in Africa, reports said.

They also accuse President Alassane Ouattara of using it as a way of trying to nominate his successor, said the reports.

Cote d'Ivoire will hold its legislative elections by Nov. 20, 2016 at the latest, the CEI announced in May. Endit