Gabon submits vote timetable
2009-07-02 22:07
Libreville - Gabon's government has submitted plans for a timetable ahead of presidential elections to the political parties in the country, officials said on Thursday.
The interior ministry has drawn up a plan to revise the electoral roll in the equatorial African country between July 4 and 14, with a further period for corrections to be made before the lists are presented to the national autonomous and permanent electoral commission on July 28, the officials said.
The minister of the interior, Jean-Francois Ndongou, met politicians on Wednesday to discuss this timetable with them.
Gabon is in mourning for President Omar Bongo Ondimba, who was Africa's longest-serving head of state when he died last month, aged 73. He ruled the oil-rich nation for 41 years.
A political transition began when Senate speaker Rose Francine Rogombe was sworn in as interim president on July 10, two days after Bongo's death was announced.
In principle, elections are due within 45 days of the swearing in of such an interim leader, but politicians across the board have agreed that this period is not long enough.
No preferences
Decisions on prolonging the transition are in the hands of the constitutional court.
No date has yet been set.
However, Rogombe on Thursday spoke of extending the transition period by 60 days.
Rogombe said that she would show no preferences as presidential candidates came forward.
Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong has recently indicated that he would be a candidate, while lawmaker and former government minister Daniel Ona Ondo has openly placed himself in the running.
Other likely candidates include the late Bongo's son Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba, who is minister of defence, and the former minister of mines, oil and hydrocarbons Casimir Oye Mba.
- SAPA