Guinea has sworn in a new electoral commission after an initial boycott by the opposition, which claimed the government had tampered with its list of nominees, state television announced on Thursday. A political stalemate in the world’s top bauxite producer has since last year stalled legislative polls needed to complete a shift to civilian rule after a 2008 coup and unblock international aid.
President Alpha Conde named a new 25-member electoral body on Monday as part of a compromise after the opposition complained the previous commission was favorable to the ruling party. Opposition members immediately rejected the new structure, however, claiming one of their nominees had been replaced without their agreement.
“The finalization of the transition is a major challenge that we must all overcome,” said the commission’s new president Bakary Fofana, a former foreign minister under a 2008-2010 transitional administration.
Full Article: Guinea swears in new electoral commission | Reuters.
