Opposition want poll delay

2009-06-24 22:21

Libreville - Gabon's opposition called on Wednesday for a presidential poll to be postponed by up to six months, echoing doubts expressed by government leaders that the vote could be held on time.

"We believe that with five months at the minimum or six months' maximum we should be able to organise a free, transparent and credible election," the leader of the Gabonese Union for Democracy and Development party, Zacharie Myboto, said.

Myboto was speaking after holding talks with interim President Rose Francine Rogombe, who has been holding talks with political parties since Tuesday on preparations for the poll.

The vote, due under the constitution to be held before the end of July, was triggered by the death of long-time president Omar Bongo Ondima.

On Monday, Gabon's Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong said he did not see how a presidential election could be held by the end of July.

According to the constitution, interim president Rose Francine Rogombe, who took up the post on June 10, has a maximum of 45 days after becoming acting head of state in which to organise a poll.

- AFP