News

• Feb 10, 2011: Opposition cries foul at Central African poll results, France 24 (2011) This article reports on the aftermath of the elections in Central African Republic. According to the preliminary results of the presidential election, President Bozize received an overwhelming majority of the votes. Last month, his party won in most of the 105 electoral districts, and the opposition parties dismissed the results as a "masquerade". The runner-up in the presidential race, Ange-Felix Patasse, and other losing candidates announced that he will file an appeal to the constitutional court.
• Feb 09, 2011: UN calls for tackling alleged irregularities in Central African Republic election, UN News Centre (2011) This article reports on the United Nation's request for more investigations into the disputed presidential election in the Central African Republic. Last week, the Independent Electoral Commission announced the re-election of President Francois Bozize, but left opposition candidates in an uproar over fraud. The UN asked the country's electoral officials to address the alleged irregularities and intimidations, and encouraged the other opposition candidates to follow the necessary legal procedures to present appeals.
• Feb 04, 2011: Central African Republic president re-elected, VOA News (2011) This article discusses the main issues and controversies surrounding the winning candidate in the presidential poll in Central African Republic. Provisional results show that President Bozize, who came to power in a 2003 coup, received 66% of the votes cast. The voter turnout was over 54%.
• Feb 04, 2011: Central African Republic candidates say poll rigged, Reuters (2011) This article reports on the controversies surrounding the elections in Central Africa Republic. The loosing presidential candidates denounced widespread electoral fraud, ballot-stuffing and irregularities. On Saturday, right after the partial results were released, the opposition candidates decided to pull their representatives off the election body in protest. The European Delegation in the country also talked about "imperfections and irregularities".
• Feb 04, 2011: Strongman wins Central African Republic election, The Washington Post (2011) This article reports on the results of the elections in Central African Republic. The country's strongman, President Francois Bozize, easily won the January election with 66% of the votes, while his main opponent Former president Ange-Felix Patasse received 20% of the votes. President Bozize overthrew Patasse in a coup in 2003.
• Jan 24, 2011: CAR Holds Presidential, Parliamentary Polls, VOA news (January 2011) Voters in the Central African Republic went to the polls Sunday for presidential and parliamentary elections.
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• Jan 21, 2011: Central African Republic's electoral body ready for polls, People's Daily Online (2011) This article reports on the preparations for the January 23 elections in the Central African Republic. After many setbacks and delays, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) finally announced that everything is ready for the elections. The Central African Armed Forces have made a huge contribution to securing the process and guarantee safety on Election Day, especially in the eastern regions where rebels are very active.
• Jan 21, 2011: Analyst: CAR Voters Skeptical of Free, Fair Election Sunday, VOA News (2011) This article discusses the results of a recent survey in the Central African Republic. According to the survey, which was conducted by Jean Louis Ndama, English professor at the University of Bangui, most of the people are skeptical about the upcoming elections and doubt that they will be free and fair.
• Jan 21, 2011: Central African Republic braces for poll, Reuters (2011) This article reports on the preparations for the long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections in the Central African Republic. President Francois Bozize, in power since a 2003 coup, appear to be the leading candidate to become president (in 2005 he received 67% of the votes). Hundreds of candidates are competing for the 105 seats in the parliament. Some 1.8 million people out of a population of 4.6 million have registered to vote.
• Aug 02, 2010: Central African Republic vote delayed to January 23, International Business Times (2010) This article comments the presidential decree that announced the delay of presidential and legislative elections until January 23 in the Central African Republic. President Francois Bozize changed the election schedule three times already (originally in April, then May and October) due to security issues, staying in power well beyond his mandate terminated in June. The country also requested 7 billion CFA francs from the European Union.
• Jul 28, 2010: Funding setbacks may delay CAR elections further, Reuters (2010) This article reports on the Central African Republic's election commission decision to delay elections. Presidential and legislative elections were scheduled for October 24, but they will probably suffer delays due to lack of fundings. The European Union mission in CAR announced that the EU would be willing to raise the initial financial aids, if an electoral timetable is finalized.
• Jul 21, 2010: Central African Republic:Rebel attacks could further delay CAR election, Reuters Africa (2010) Recent rebel attacks may further delay already long-awaited elections in the Central African Republic. President Francois Bozize is currently ruling past his mandate due to the delays.
• Jun 18, 2010: Central African Republic targets Oct. 24 election, Reuters Africa (2010) The electoral commission of the Central African Republic have set October 24th as the date for presidential and legislative elections. President Francois Bozize is currently ruling beyond his mandate, because elections could not be organized before June 11 when it expired.
• Jun 02, 2010: Central African Republic: CAR President to Rule Beyond End of Mandate, VOA (2010) This article discusses the decision by current President Francois Bozize to remain in power after his mandate ends due to delays in organizing the next election.
• May 11, 2010: C.African parliament votes to extend president's term, Relief Web (2010) The parliament in Central African Republic voted on Monday 10 May to extend the president's mandate. The vote allows the President to remain in his position after his mandate expires on June 11 until elections are held.
• May 03, 2010: Republic of Central Africa: Elections Postponed, African Bulletin (2010) The presidential and legislative elections, which the political class and the ex-rebellion have requested their postponement "will not be held on May 16" said President Francois Bozizé, without fixing a new date.
• May 03, 2010: Vote Delay in Central African Republic Could Extend President's Term, VOA News (2010) Elections in the Central African Republic have been postponed for a second time, raising the likelihood that the president will remain in office past the end of his June mandate.
• Apr 30, 2010: Central African Republic Says May 16 Vote Delayed, CBS News (2010) The president of Central African Republic says elections that had been scheduled for May 16 have been delayed.
• Apr 08, 2010: Central African Republic: elections set for May, foxnews (2010) The president of Central African Republic says elections in the world's second poorest nation will be held May 16.
• Mar 18, 2010: Central African Republic: President dismisses call to postpone election,Reuters (2010) The president of Central African Republic Tuesday dismissed a call by political rivals to postpone elections set for April 25, saying any delay would be unconstitutional.
• Mar 01, 2010: Central African Republic: Tackling impunity key challenge for Central African Republic, says UN rights chief, UN News service (2010) A senior United Nations official said impunity for human rights violations is one of the top challenges facing the Central African Republic (CAR).
• Jan 18, 2010: Central African Republic: CAR rebels, opposition pull out of poll plans, Reuters (2010) Central African Republic's main opposition parties and former rebel group have pulled out of preparations for elections scheduled for this year, accusing President Bozize of planning to rig the polls. The peace process is now threatened, as some anti-Bozize rebels may take up arms again. The opposition calls on the UN mission in the country to find an agreed solution to the crisis.
• Nov 10, 2009: Central African opposition blocks former president as candidate, Bloomberg (2009) The head of the opposition Movement for the Liberation of Central African People rejected former president Patassé who returned from exile a month ago as a candidate for his party.