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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
In Abidjan: Sabina Vigani, +225 08 23 55 23
In Atlanta: Deborah Hakes, +1 404- 420 5124

Abidjan...The Carter Center urges Cote d'Ivoire's presidential candidates to refrain from the use of negative campaign rhetoric, including personal attacks made in a threatening tone, and reminds candidates and their supporters of the code of conduct and other rules governing electoral behavior. The Center hopes that the two presidential candidates and their representatives will use the opportunity to participate in debates broadcast on Ivoirian Radio and Television (RTI) to share their political programs for Cote d'Ivoire.

"I hope that both presidential candidates will encourage their supporters to respect the right of all Ivoirians to choose their leader without fear of intimidation or reprisal," said Carter Center delegation co-leader and former Ghana President John Kufuor. "Africa and the rest of the world are watching with hope that this electoral process will be conducted for the benefit of its entire people and that Cote d'Ivoire will be restored to a path of peace and socio-economic prosperity."

The Carter Center notes that press commentary often repeat rumors and reinforces polarizing viewpoints. The Center supports the efforts of the National Press Council to restore more professional journalism.

The Center also is concerned about increasing reports from its long-term observers that tensions are rising in several parts of the country as the campaigns heat up. The security environment in Cote d'Ivoire still requires a commitment from all political actors, security forces, and citizens to participate in the election in the spirit of national reconciliation and respect for diversity.

The Carter Center will deploy a delegation of 50 observers to the Nov. 30 presidential election run-off between current President Laurent Gbagbo and former Prime Minister Alassane Outtara.

The Center has observed the election process in Cote d'Ivoire since 2008, and deployed observers on three occasions during voter registration and public inspection of the provisional voter list. In October, the Center deployed a 40-person delegation, including long-term and short-term observers, led by former Ghana President John Kufuor and Dr. John Stremlau, vice president for the peace programs at The Carter Center.

The Carter Center will release a public statement shortly after election day to share preliminary observations. The Center's observation mission is conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.

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A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 70 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers in developing nations to increase crop production. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.