ELECTORAL COMMISSION BRIEFS EMBASSIES ON ELECTORAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 001208

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2016
TAGS: PINR PREL PGOV PHUM EAID KPAO MR
SUBJECT: ELECTORAL COMMISSION BRIEFS EMBASSIES ON ELECTORAL
PREPARATIONS

REF: NOUAKCHOTT 1193

Classified By: CDA Steven Koutsis, Reasons 1.4(b)(d)

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(C) Summary
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-- The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) told
western diplomats that it had not seen any evidence that the
government attempted to influence the candidate registration
process (reftel).

-- "CENI will work closely with the Ministry of Interior to
ensure that the registration process is transparent," CENI
president Babamine told attendees.

-- CENI estimates that about 70,000 new voters will be
registered in the September supplementary census.
-- 1,264 candidate lists were submitted for November's
municipal council elections, with 374 independent lists and
890 political party lists. The government has until October
10 to "verify" the candidate lists.

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(C) Comments
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-- We repeatedly expressed concern both for the neutrality of
the government and the independence of CENI, saying that CENI
needed to take the lead in ensuring the transparency of the
transition and the neutrality of the government.

-- While the 70,000 figure is not as high as we would have
hoped, it does increase total registration by 7 pct, not an
insignificant number.

End Summary and Comments.


1. (U) The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI)
met with chiefs of the U.S., French, Spanish, German, EU and
UN missions September 28 to discuss preparations for the
municipal and legislative elections set for November 19.

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CENI UPDATE
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2. (C) CENI president Cheikh Sid'Ahmed Ould Babamine told
attendees that CENI "acted quickly" following recent reports
of the government's "intervention into the electoral process
(reftel)...in order to reaffirm the government's neutrality."
"We sent Vall a letter asking for clarification of their
stance vis-a-vis neutrality, and raised the issue in our
weekly meeting with the Minister of Interior," Babamine said.
He added that CENI has not seen any evidence to indicate
that the government was in fact attempting to influence the
candidate registration process (reftel),and noted that the
government publicly reaffirmed its neutrality.


3. (C) Responding to attendees' concerns regarding potential
government influence in candidate registrations, Babamine
said "CENI will work closely with the Ministry of Interior to
ensure that the registration process is transparent." One
potential problem foreseen by CENI was the issuance of
registration receipts to candidates who did not submit
complete (and valid) registration applications. These
would-be candidates were issued receipts for their
registration, but will likely not be added to the ballot due
to incomplete applications.


4. (U) Note: Candidate registration figures for November's
municipal council elections were released by the Ministry of
Interior September 30. According to the government's
official figures, 1,264 candidate lists were submitted for
Mauritania's 216 communes, with 374 (30%) coming from
independent candidates, and 890 (70%) coming from 25
political parties and 22 political party coalitions. The
Ministry has until October 10 to "verify" the candidate
lists. End Note.


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5. (C) Babamine said that currently 68,000 additional names
had been added to the voter lists from September's
supplemental voter registration drive, and he estimated that
in total between 70,000 and 75,000 names would be added.
CENI members estimated that as many as 300,000 people could
have been registered during the drive.


6. (C) Babamine said CENI was currently talking to the
government about allowing national observers to participate
in election observations (only political parties were allowed
to observe last June's referendum). Various attendees
including the UN Resident Representative Cecile Molinier
stressed the need for local election observers, adding "the
EU will be sending their election observation mission on
Tuesday October 3, but just as important will be the active
role of Mauritanian pole watchers." Babamine concluded the
topic by saying "I have recently spoken to the government on
the importance of national observers and I hope and believe
they will do this."


7. (C) Attendees expressed concern both for the neutrality of
the government and the independence of CENI. Babamine said
"CENI will continue to work as an independent player in the
transition...reporting on both the positive and negative
aspects of the government's work."
Koutsis