UN: CAR vote delay will not be a setback

The United Nations said on Thursday that delaying presidential and legislative elections in the Central African Republic would not be a setback and is justified by the country's "very delicate security situation".

Citing preparations and the need to better train poll workers, the country's transitional authorities have proposed delaying the vote set for Sunday until December 30.

The elections - already long-delayed due to two years of sectarian violence - are aimed at turning the page on the conflict that erupted after a mainly Muslim rebellion overthrew longtime Christian leader Francois Bozize in 2013.

"I would not characterise it as a setback" for the political process, said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.



"Given the very delicate security situation in the country it is important that the elections take place in the best possible way.

" Dujarric said all the electoral ballots arrived in the capital Bangui on Wednesday, adding that the UN mission would "proceed with the progressive delivery of the ballots to the provinces".

"The decision was taken by the electoral authorities themselves," Dujarric said. "It is their process, their elections to run and we are there to support them."