国际英语新闻：Cote d'Ivoire candidates kick off election campaigns

ABIDJAN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Election campaigns for the Oct. 31 presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire were launched in low profile on Friday in Abidjan, the country's economic capital.

On the city's main streets, there were posters and billboards carrying messages of the 14 candidates to contesting in the first race since 2005.

Many of the billboards feature out-going President Laurent Gbagbo and two of his main rivals Henri Konan Bedie and Alassane Ouattara.

"I vote for Gbagbo because of Cote d'Ivoire," "The war is over, it is time for development," some of the messages on Gbagbo's billboards read.

Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo waves at supporters during his campaign rally in the western town of Man October 15, 2010. Gbagbo officially opened his election campaign on Friday in the rebel-held west, pledging to industrialise the West African nation by putting a cocoa factory in every growing region.

On this first day, Gbagbo chose the town of Man, 700 km west of Abidjan, to launch his election campaign.

The campaign mood has not yet engulfed the city of Abidjan.

At Cocody, a huge billboard stands out announcing an overnight performance by artists and a message mobilizing Gbagbo's supporters.

In Koumassi area, the streets are clear. The daytime rain has dampened the mood. The only visible campaign trail is a small car transporting youthful Gbagbo supporters wearing t-shirts bearing his portrait and singing songs in his praise across the streets.

At the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI) of Henri Konan Bedie, there is no much activity going on.

The only visible people are the party barons flocking in to pick t-shirts, caps and other campaign materials.

Bedie has decided to hold his first official campaign meeting on Monday at Dalo, 400 km from Abidjan, and another on Tuesday in Yamoussoukro, before heading to Abidjan.

The ex-president, who was overthrown after a military coup d'etat in 1999, says he is banking on his "experience."