Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union
(AU) Commission, has called for smooth, peaceful, transparent and
credible polls in six AU member states holding elections and a
referendum on Sunday.
"While
Elections Management Bodies should ensure smooth organisation, with
highest levels of professionalism and service delivery, citizens and
political actors must respect the results of the polls," the chairperson
said in a statement earlier Sunday.
"Should
there be grievances following the election results, these must be
addressed through the appropriate channels in an orderly and lawful
manner to maintain peace and stability," she said, adding that only
through violence-free elections that Africa can deepen the culture of
democracy.
On
Sunday, there will be elections in five countries and regions -- Benin,
Niger, Cape Verde, Congo and the semi-autonomous region of Tanzania's
Zanzibar, and a referendum in Senegal, according to the statement.
The
constitutional referendum in Senegal will allow the citizens to
determine whether to maintain the current seven-year presidential term
mandate or reduce it to five years, it noted.
The
Republic of Congo will hold first round of presidential elections, with
nine candidates, including incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
And the Republic of Cape Verde will be holding Legislative Elections to
fill up 72 seats in the National Assembly.
Both
Benin and Niger in West Africa will be holding second rounds of
presidential elections, of which the results will determine who will
lead these countries for at least the next five years.
Meanwhile,
voters in Zanzibar are going back to the polls after the results of
presidential and parliamentary held on 25 Oct. 2015 were nullified by
the Zanzibar Electoral Commission over vote rigging allegations.
Source: Xinhua
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