The United Nations has joined two other international organisations to call on Guinea-Bissau to hold legislative elections on the scheduled November 18 date.
The appeal by the UN, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States ,ECOWAS followed the Guinea-Bissau government’s decision to extend for a month a voter census. A move that threatens to force a delay in the elections. The elections are seen as crucial to resolving a political crisis that has gripped the poor West African country since President Jose Mario Vaz sacked his Prime Minister in August 2015.
In a joint statement, the three organisations called for renewed efforts to ensure that the November 18 legislative elections are held within the requisite time and under conditions of transparency, regularity and credibility. They urged all sides to work for the creation of the conditions necessary for the smooth roll-out of the electoral process.
The statement further said the elections are a decisive step in consolidating the gains made in Guinea-Bissau,” and urged international support for the process.
