Bozize sets up interministerial polls team

An eight-member inter-ministerial committee has been set up in the Central African Republic (CAR) to usher in democracy to the country before January 2005. The minister in charge of the government's secretariat, Zarambeaud Assingambi, announced on Monday on state-owned Radio Centrafrique that Prime Minister Celestin Gaombalet head the committee appointed by CAR leader Francois Bozize. The committee comprises Gaombalet, Assingambi, Interior Minister Marcel Malonga, Justice Minister Hiancythe Wodobode, Public Security Junior Minister Jules Wande, Public Transport and Civil Aviation Junior Minister Desire Pendemo and Public Service Minister Jacques Boti. This committee's appointment ended uncertainty over the electoral calendar; weeks after a committee formed to oversee the implementation of recommendations made during the national reconciliation forum in 2003 announced that the last poll would take place in April 2005. Bozize had initially stated that a constitutional referendum would take place in mid-2004, a presidential election in the third quarter of the year and municipal and parliamentary elections in the fourth quarter. However, the national reconciliation forum recommended that the elections be organised later for security reasons and that municipal and parliamentary elections he held before the presidential poll. Bozize has said he would not contest the presidential election. An electoral census, which would lead to the establishment of electoral lists, began with the 8-22 December 2003 population census, whose results have not been released. Identification of voters is due to follow in February with the examination and adoption of a revised electoral code. Later, the National Transitional Council, the country's law advisory body, is due to draft and adopt a new constitution for the country. Bozize led a rebellion from October 2002 to March 2003 against the government, culminating in the overthrow of President Ange-Felix Patasse. The Bozize administration overcame the international isolation that followed the coup, but a return to a democratic rule remained a pre-condition for full resumption of cooperation with international institutions and other states. France, the EC and the UN have announced their readiness to support the CAR electoral process.