The Ivorian National Assembly adopted, this Wednesday, November 9, in plenary session, a law allowing the addition of two new posts within the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). One way to apply the conclusions of the fifth phase of the Political Dialogue in March. Despite this, the opposition remains skeptical about the credibility of this institution.
With our correspondent in Abidjan, Bineta Diagne
At 10:45 am, Adama Bictogo, the President of the National Assembly opens the debates. Only one subject is on the agenda: the adoption of a law allowing the creation of two new positions within the Electoral Commission and to formalize the creation of a 4th vice-president position.
After some debate on the form, 122 parliamentarians out of 255 voted for this law, which according to the deputy of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), Fa Moussa Coulibaly, is a “ hand held out ” Of the president : “ This bill is the result of a consensus of all political actors. There was therefore no question of reviewing anything in depth. »
The Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA) voted against this law. Henri Konan Bédié’s party believes that the CEI is not independent. “ Of the 18 members of the central commission, 13 are nominated by the ruling party and only five are nominated by the opposition.explains Simon Doho, president of the PDCI-RDA group. So we voted “no” to say that the text that was proposed was going to be conflicting. »
An abstention in the form of an opening for the PPA-CI
Despite its entry into the CEI, the African Peoples’ Party (PPA-CI) abstained. The party of Laurent Gbagbo demanded a post of vice-president within the central commission of the CEI. A request denied. “ The PPA-CI, party entering the CEI, enters it to exercise what level of responsibility? Nothing was said about it asks Hubert Oulaye, president of the PPA-CI group at the Assembly.
For the PPA-CI, this abstention is also a signal of openness in view, he hopes, of new discussions between political parties and the presidential majority.