Voting was extended beyond its original deadline to counter complaints about administrative shortfalls. Many people could not vote on 23 rd July because voting materials failed to materialise, particularly in the high density Abidjan suburb of Yopougon which has an estimated 300,000 registered voters. Detractors of the military junta said the objective of the extension was to reverse what appeared to be a low turnout. However, most observers would say that the extension was more a matter of trying to optimise the democratic process. This constitutional referendum is the beginning of a long electoral process, which should lead to presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections in September, October and November 2000, respectively.
Ministers aim to establish a free-trade zone between the two trading blocks.
The results of its EU trade and free-zone negotiations will show what it is ultimately capable of. Of concern to the trading community is the fact that the new force will be funded apparently by levies on trade. This will be fed into a special account devoted to the equipping and providing logistical needs of the standby force. Cape Verde joined in 1977. The treaty also formally assigned the Community with the responsibility of preventing and settling regional conflicts.