20101023
africanews

Guinea announced the postponement of the presidential run-off due for Sunday following concerns about the readiness of the West African country to pull through a hitch free election. "The October 24 date is not possible," the election commission head, General Siaka Sangare said.

The Malian, who was recently made head of the commission, said a new date would be fixed after the electoral body was sure the country is prepared for the poll.

The latest vote delay came following a meeting between the head of Guinea's electoral commission and the two runners who are Cellou Diallo and long-time opposition leader Alpha Conde.

According to the VOA, Diallo said he discussed with Sangare potential threats to the election process including reports of parallel electoral lists and voter cards.

Sangare has said he wants to create the conditions for a vote that would be acceptable to everyone without announcing a new date for the run-off which has suffered repeated delays due to logistic problems, disagreement over electoral head and violence.

Violence and appeal

Ahead of the earlier scheduled Sunday vote, the United Nations Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR expressed its deep concern over “excessive use of force by Guinea’s security forces against demonstrators.”

A statement by OHCHR said “one man was killed and more than 60 others injured when Government forces used live fire in their effort to quell demonstrations earlier this week in the capital, Conakry.”

It called on political leaders in Guinea to restrain their supporters in the run-up to the elections and urged the transitional Government to ensure that security forces meet international standards governing the use of force and firearms.

Guinea’s military ruler, General Konate is trying to return the country to civilian rule almost two years after soldiers took power in a military coup following the death of long-time leader Lansana Conte.