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

His billboards, bearing his photograph on one corner and a picture of the future Abidjan city, has the message that he will use his experience to serve the country and, especially, the youth.

As for the candidate of Rally of Republicans (RDR), Alassane Ouattara, he chose to hold a press conference in Abidjan to outline his policies if he takes over the government.

The ex-prime minister insisted on the need for a truly independent Cote d'Ivoire, which is built on the foundations of "discipline, unity and hard work."

He said he will carry out programs that will touch the whole country. He also promised to construct hospitals and create employment for the young.

Ouattara is expected to launch his campaigns on Saturday at a large campaign rally in Yopougon region.

The candidates have about two weeks to convince an estimated 5. 7 million voters who will go to the polls on Oct. 31.

The presidential elections have been repeatedly postponed since 2005, when Gbagbo's tenure expired.

Disarmament and voter identification are among the major issues to stall the election process. The country put off the vote at least twice this year amid the poor preparation and a voter list crisis.

The electoral commission and the government were dissolved in February as a result of the crisis, in which Gbagbo's supporters accused the former electoral commission chief of fraud in voter registration.

Cote d'Ivoire plunged into war following an attempted coup in 2002 by the ex-rebel New Forces, which still holds the northern part while the government controls the south despite a peace deal signed in 2007.