The head of the ECOWAS observer mission for the 2015 joint legislative and presidential elections in Burkina Faso, and former Transition President for Guinea Bissau, Mr. Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo, has called on Burkinabes to come out in their numbers on 29 December 2015 to accomplish their civic duty.

He made this appeal during his visit this morning to several polling stations in Ouagadougou, particularly those located at the écoles Gamaliel, Samandin A, Tanghin groups A and B, Basyrie and Silmiougou.

Mr. Nhamadjo stated, “This election will usher in the next president of Burkina Faso. I therefore urge you all to ginger one another up towards participating in this democratic exercise”.

Accompanied by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, the Director of Political Affairs, Dr. Remi Ajibewa and the ECOWAS President’s permanent representative to Burkina Faso, Diakité Mohamed, Mr. Nhamadjo went to personally observe this election process.

The head of the ECOWAS observer mission and his delegation, were present at the start of voting activities at the polling station situated at école Gamaliel.

Everywere they went, Mr. Nhamadjo and his team commended the calm atmosphere surrounding the elections and the early morning massive turnout of voters wishing to carry out their civic duty.

They however deplored certain shortfalls, particularly the late commencement of voting activities due to non-availability of voting materials and the absence of senior officials and members of the independent national electoral commission (CENI) at some polling stations. Mr. Nhamadjo urged voters at such polling stations to remain calm and patient, and to maintain decorum.

Mr. Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo said: “You know, a little difficulty is often encountered at the start of any process; but I am hopeful that all will be well”.

At the end of their tour of the polling stations, Mr. Nhamadjo and his team retired to the “ECOWAS situation room” set up in a hotel for that specific purpose.

There at the situation room were focal points from each region in Burkina Faso where ECOWAS had deployed observers to monitor the progress of the polls in real time; in other words, a medium for detailed monitoring of actual happenings on the field.

It will be recalled that ECOWAS deployed one hundred and thirty three (133) observers, of comprising 13 long-term and 120 short-term observers toi monitorthe on-going elections and all pre-election, election and post-election activities and to report on the process. This observation will mainly focus on the regularity, transparency, fairness and smooth conduct of the elections.

The 2015 joint legislative and presidential elections in Burkina Faso were scheduled for 11 October 2015, but had been postponed sine die as a result of the foiled 17 September 2015 coup d’Etat.

Fourteen (14) candidates are contesting in the presidential, while 81 political parties and 18 independent groups are vying for legislative positions.

5,517,015 voters, spread across 17,898 polling stations, are expected to vote this 29 November 2015 to elect the person to lead their country for the next five years.

25,000 members of the security forces, including police officers, gendarmes, military and paramilitary, both in active duty and retired, have been co-opted by the transition authorities to ensure security during the electoral process.