ABIDJAN, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire has unveiled a major overhaul of electoral governance aimed at reducing election-related disputes and strengthening public trust.
Prime Minister Robert Beugre Mambe presented the reform plan on Monday during consultations with political parties and civil society groups, outlining a new structure that will replace the current Independent Electoral Commission (CEI).
Under the proposed system, electoral management will be split into three bodies responsible respectively for logistics, vote tabulation and oversight of the entire process. The government said the division of responsibilities is designed to reduce tensions and improve transparency.
"We want Ivorians who go to polling stations to be more convinced that their votes count," Mambe said, adding that the reform would help ensure losing candidates understand results and winners are widely recognized as legitimate.
The move follows the dissolution of the CEI on May 6. Established in 2001, the body had long faced criticism over its perceived lack of impartiality. ■