Ivory Coast: Press Council bans publication of polls on election

The Ivorian National Press Council (CNP) has banned the publication of opinion polls conducted on presidential candidates for the forthcoming election.

"Within the framework of the electoral process, the National Press Council informs the media that in accordance with Article 39 of Ruling Né 2008-133 of 14 April 2008 on adjustments to the electoral code for out of crisis elections, it is prohibited to publish or issue estimates of vote or conduct polls of any kind, from any place, based on the provisional electoral roll,' a statement from the Press Council said on Wednesday.

An opinion poll published this week in the Ivorian press said President Laurent Gbagbo was ahead of his opponents.

The CNP chairman, Eugène Kacou, said tension was already high and it should not be increased by such poll that might confuse voters.

He warned that any offender will face the law, but added that the order will not apply to the foreign press.

Penalties under the law vary from official warning to the suspension of the media house and a fine of between one and ten millions FCFA.

The National Electoral Commission last Sunday published the provisional electoral roll and Ivorians and the international community are still waiting for the date of the first round for presidential election.

-November 25, 2009 by Pan African News Agency (PANA)

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Source: www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/ivorian-press-council-bans-publication-of-polls-on-election-2009112538982.html (accessed on 30.11.2009)