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Ivory Coast braces for parliamentary elections Ivory Coast votes in parliamentary elections
(about 2 hours later)
United Nations troops are on patrol in the Ivorian commercial capital, Abidjan, as the country braces for parliamentary elections on Sunday. The people of Ivory Coast are voting in their first parliamentary poll since a presidential election a year ago sparked months of violence.
The vote is the first since presidential polls a year ago sparked months of violence after the incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to step down. The party of Laurent Gbagbo, whose refusal to step down last year set off the bloodshed, is boycotting the poll. It complains of intimidation and bias.
UN troops are on patrol in the Ivorian commercial capital, Abidjan.
Mr Gbagbo is awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity.Mr Gbagbo is awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity.
His Ivorian Popular Front party has called for an election boycott. Mr Gbagbo's party, the Ivorian Popular Front party, has accused the electoral commission of bias in favour of the current president, Alassane Ouattara and will falsify the results.
The former president and his supporters claim the electoral commission is loyal to the new governing party led by Mr Gbagbo's rival, President Alassane Ouattara, and will falsify the results.
They also accuses the army of intimidating supporters during the campaign.They also accuses the army of intimidating supporters during the campaign.
Fears of violenceFears of violence
Hundreds of his supporters protested against his detention outside the ICC in the Dutch capital The Hague on Saturday, some wearing t-shirts with the slogan "No Gbagbo, No Peace". Hundreds of his supporters protested against his detention outside the ICC in The Hague on Saturday, some wearing T-shirts with the slogan "No Gbagbo, No Peace".
Turnout will almost certainly be lower than last year's presidential elections - which saw fierce campaigning between the then incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, and his opposition rival, Alassane Ouattara.
This time round, with the opposition by and large not taking part, it's turned into a contest between the two main parties in the government coalition. An overall victory for President Ouattara's RDR party would give him a strong platform for his remaining four years in charge.
If his coalition allies, the PDCI, take the most seats in the national assembly, it would give them a stronger hand in seeking concessions from the president. While many candidates have been promising new roads, bridges and schools in their constituencies, the reality is that they have little power, something that explains in part the lack of Ivorians at polling stations.
Thousands of people were killed in the months that followed presidential polls last December after Mr Gbagbo refused to hand over power, claiming he had won.Thousands of people were killed in the months that followed presidential polls last December after Mr Gbagbo refused to hand over power, claiming he had won.
Observers are concerned that Sunday's vote, in which 950 candidates are vying for 255 posts, could trigger fresh violence.Observers are concerned that Sunday's vote, in which 950 candidates are vying for 255 posts, could trigger fresh violence.
The BBC's John James, in Abidjan, says many voters have found it hard to get excited about the poll, regardless of their political views, because of the limited powers given to the national assembly.The BBC's John James, in Abidjan, says many voters have found it hard to get excited about the poll, regardless of their political views, because of the limited powers given to the national assembly.
Nevertheless, for the new government, a peaceful and well-run poll would help show investors that Ivory Coast is back up and running, our correspondent says.Nevertheless, for the new government, a peaceful and well-run poll would help show investors that Ivory Coast is back up and running, our correspondent says.
On Wednesday, three people were killed in a rocket-launcher attack, according to Ivorian Defence Minister Paul Koffi Koffi.On Wednesday, three people were killed in a rocket-launcher attack, according to Ivorian Defence Minister Paul Koffi Koffi.
Mr Gbagbo, who was flown to The Hague last month, faces four charges of crimes against humanity.Mr Gbagbo, who was flown to The Hague last month, faces four charges of crimes against humanity.
He is accused of being an "indirect co-perpetrator" of murder, rape, persecution and other inhuman acts.He is accused of being an "indirect co-perpetrator" of murder, rape, persecution and other inhuman acts.
Human rights groups welcomed the arrest warrant but said that, while Mr Gbagbo's forces had triggered the violence, both sides had been implicated in grave crimes. Human rights groups welcomed the arrest warrant, but said that, while Mr Gbagbo's forces had triggered the violence, both sides had been implicated in grave crimes.
Are you in Ivory Coast? What is the mood like in your area? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Ivory Coast? What is the mood like in your area? Send us your comments using the form below.
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