Gabon opposition quits election panel

2011-07-16 10:54

Libreville - Gabon's opposition on Friday pulled out of the electoral commission over the ruling party's refusal to introduce biometric voter registration.

Parliamentary elections in the small west African state are due before the end of the year.

Thirteen parties signed a joint statement announcing their decision "to suspend the participation of all opposition members in the National permanent autonomous electoral commission."

The group said it wanted to "sternly condemn... the executive for going back on a unanimous decision for the upcoming legislative elections to be organised transparently by introducing biometric voter registration."

"This isn't a boycott yet but with this decision we are blocking the electoral process," an opposition leader told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Following April talks between President Ali Bongo Ondimba and civil society groups, the government had asked the constitutional court for permission to postpone the elections until next year.

The court refused and the government announced it would therefore have to comply with the law and hold the elections on time.

- SAPA