A women's umbrella group, the Federation of Feminine Associations and NGOs for the Elections in Cote-Ivoire (FFAOECI), on Monday staged a demonstration in Abidjan in front of the headquarters of the Independent Election Committee (IEC) to press demands for adherence to the election schedule.
They denounced the 'delaying tactics' of the presidential camp and demanded equal access to the state media. They expressed their support for the chairman of the IEC, Beugré Mambé whose resignation is being demanded by President Laurent Gbagbo's supporters.
Critics of the IEC boss accuse him of preparing to rig the election in favour of the opposition by allowing several thousands of foreigners to register.
"Hold fast Mr. Mambé, you have the support of the women of Cote d'Ivoire, the real ones, that is to say, the mothers who have suffered from this war and who want elections to be held so that their kids can have a job, so that poverty can be reduced. We are going to support you for as long as necessary because since your press conference, we've discovered the truth," FFANECI said in a communique.
"We are tired of the endless postponements of election dates. We want a change of the economic and social situation as soon as possible, thus the need for holding of elections,' FFANECI said.
