The president of the Ceni had discussions yesterday with the resident representative of the United Nations System and the assistant for political and economic affairs at the United States embassy in the Comoros based in Madagascar on numerous technical aspects of the future elections.
After the establishment of the consultation framework and the development of numerous electoral instruments, the CENI is focusing on finalizing the electoral file a few days after completing the cleaning work in the 54 municipalities of the country.
The United Nations System (UNS) and the USA yesterday expressed their satisfaction with the electoral process started almost four months ago. François Batalingaya, coordinator of the Snu, received in audience the president of the Ceni, Idrissa Said Ben Ahamada and the vice-president Sitti Marahaba Saïd Ousseni, at the United Nations house in Moroni. Joseph Narus, deputy for political and economic affairs at the United States embassy in the Comoros based in Madagascar, was received at the CENI headquarters by officials of the electoral body in Moroni.
The two meetings focused on pre-electoral activities and the start of other phases of the process. The electoral structures are almost completely put in place.
The two diplomats reported “a good start”, saying they were committed to “an inclusive process” which will take into account all stakeholders. For them, the work undertaken so far reveals a desire to hold free, open and transparent elections.
The convocation of the electoral college
After the establishment of the consultation framework bringing together power, opposition (except the Common Front) and civil society organizations, after the development of numerous electoral instruments, the CENI is focusing on finalizing the electoral file a few days after having completed the cleaning work in the 54 municipalities of the country.
The operation to revise the electoral lists was completed. Additional time was granted to voters in the event of errors in registering names or changes of address.
The American diplomat expressed his appreciation after the voter registration operations, the revision and the publication of the electoral rolls. “It’s already a guarantee of transparency because everything starts there,” welcomed Joseph Narus.
“He first came to inquire about the evolution of the electoral process and to announce the contribution of the Americans and congratulates us on the voter registration operations”, it was indicated to the Ceni. The American official announced a support fund for the voter awareness and civic education campaign in the amount of 600 thousand dollars “housed at UNDP”.
The coordinator of the United Nations system, too, remains in the same state of mind, emphasizing the “imperative need” to manage to make the process inclusive from start to finish. François Batalingaya clarified on X (former Twitter) that he received the two senior Ceni officials “to discuss the organization of free, credible and transparent elections in a peaceful climate”.
The electoral process is following its course. One of the major steps expected is the publication of the decree convening the electoral college which should, in principle, take place at least before the end of the first half of October.