The countrys National Autonomous Electoral Commission has come up with a timetable for elections which it proposed to the Government late last week.

Election date set

The election date has been scheduled for Sunday, August 30 2009. The date has been approved by the country’s Council of Ministers. Several political parties have already announced various candidates who will be representing them. The son of late president Omar Bongo Ondimba has been nominated to represent the Gabonese national party as candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.

“I am aware of the legitimate concerns of the people and pledge to redistribute the proceeds of economic growth and fight corruption and fraud”

says presidential candidate Ali Bongo Ondimba

Reactions to his candidature were received with cheers among hundreds of delegates who attended the ceremony. Gabonese prime minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong has officially resigned in protest of his party’s choice of the son of late president Omar Bongo. Ndong will run as an Independent.