UN says Africa must let refugees vote

UNITED  NATIONS.     United State ;

The UN Security Council said Wednesday
that refugees from the Central African Republic
must be allowed to vote in key elections
set for October ,the first since the country
descended into bloodshed in 2013.

The country's transitional authorities  have
rejected a draft electoral bill that would
allow tens of thousands of refugees most
of whom are Muslim driven from their
homes,to vote by absentee ballot.

"Those who are out of the country should
be able to vote within the country,It should
include every citizen of the Central African
Republic ,Nigerian Ambassador Joy Ogwu
told reporters following a council meeting

The 15 member council agreed in a unanimous
statement that the "absolute priority is the
organisation of elections which should
be inclusive

Presidential and parliamentary elections
are set for October 18 in the Central African
Republic ,which exploded into sectarian
violence  following a 2013 coup that pitted
mainly Muslim rebels against Christian
militias.

Security remains fragile in the impoverished
former French colony where the long delayed
elections are shaping up as a test for the prospects
of reconciliation .

About 478,000 people out of two million
potential voters have registered to vote
Gaye said ,But the country's electoral authorities
have yet to register potential voters among
the 400,000 refugees who filed to Chad and
other neighbouring  countries ,he said ,
Up to 85 percent of the refugees are Muslim

"I am confident that the refugees will
participate in these election
It is important indicator for the credibility
of these elections..  AFP