Gabon PM sees vote delay

2009-06-23 08:36

Paris - Gabon's Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong on Monday said he did not see how a presidential election could be held by the end of July to meet the country's constitutional deadline.

Ndong, speaking in a television interview, also refused to rule himself out as a candidate in the vote which was triggered by the death of long-time president Omar Bongo Ondima.

"I don't see how in 45 days we can sort out the problem of the presidential election," Ndong said on television channel France 24.

"I hope I am not getting ahead of myself, but it seems certain that it will take us more than 45 days," he said during the interview, which had been conducted in Libreville.

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.

But observers and the country's political factions think it may be necessary to delay the ballot to allow time to update Gabon's voters' rolls.

The constitution allows for an extension in extreme cases.

Update the rolls

When asked about this, the prime minister said: "The head of state has called for a meeting of politicians on the matter, and we will see if it is absolutely necessary to update the voters' rolls."

"It is not enough just to decide to update, now we have to decide on how we update the rolls," added Ndongo, vice-president of the PDG party, which was founded by Bongo.

The premier hosted a meeting on Monday in Libreville of ministers aimed at preparing for the election, but it did not come up with a timetable, government sources said.

The race to replace Bongo, who ruled oil-rich Gabon for 41 years, is under way behind the scenes and Ndong did not rule out bidding for the top job.

"If certain people believe I can run as a candidate, I will consider it," he said.

Bongo, who died in a Spanish clinic on June 8, was buried last week in a traditional funeral at one of his luxurious palaces in Franceville, attended by thousands of people.

A state funeral last Tuesday in Libreville was attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and rulers from a dozen other African nations.

- AFP