Central African Republic is set to hold landmark legislative and presidential elections on Wednesday. They will hold this much-delayed national elections in hopes to reconcile many years of sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians.
Dates for the elections have been rescheduled for a number of times because of lack of organization and violence. The international community and the residents themselves desires stability after years of violent conflicts.
The National Election Authority proposed the most recent delay, from December 20 to December 30, to deal with organizational and technical difficulties. Julius Rufin Ngoadebaba, a spokesman for the National Electoral Authority said that 'this time' everything will be fine throughout Central African Republic. He also shot down accusations which say that illegal voter cards had been distributed.
On December 13, the citizens of Central African Republic voted yes to a constitutional referendum. Five citizens were killed in a neighborhood in the capital, Bangui.
Minister of Territorial Administration Modibo Bachir Walidou said, "The constitutional referendum vote allowed the electoral and country's authorities to unseal the difficulties that needed to urgently be addressed." He also added that they will know exactly what needs to be done, by whom, and how, regarding the upcoming elections.
Mireille Djapou, a 26-year-old student, also told reporters that they are ready and determined to go ahead with the vote this December 30. The student believes that it is time for their beloved country to get out from this long crisis, recovers its institutions, and the citizens of Central Africa will find reconciliation and live together with peace.
1,800 police and gendarmes will control some areas and UN peacekeepers are reported to be deployed in sensitive areas as well. Meanwhile, 300 armed forces from the country will look after and protect polling stations in the capital.
More than 1.8 million citizens are expected to vote at more than 500 polling stations.
