UN Secretary-General commends people of Côte d'Ivoire for 'calm and orderly' conduct in exercising right to vote during legislative elections

NEW YORK, December 13, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The following statement was issued on 12 December by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the holding of the legislative elections in Côte d'Ivoire and commends the people of Côte d'Ivoire for the generally calm and orderly manner in which they exercised their right to vote. This election is an important step towards the full restoration of constitutional order in Côte d'Ivoire and should contribute to national reconciliation in the country.

The Secretary-General congratulates the Ivorian Independent Electoral Commission and the national and international partners that contributed to the organization and conduct of this election. He calls on the people of Côte d'Ivoire and all parties and candidates to preserve the existing peaceful atmosphere as the tallying of votes is under way, and to resolve any disputes through the established legal channels.

The Secretary-General reiterates the continued commitment of the United Nations to support the full completion of the electoral process, including through the certification mandate of his Special Representative.