Biometric Voter Register in Gabon 2013

Biometric voters' list to be used during Gabon's 2013 local elections (Xinhua)

The vice-chairman of Gemalto company which won the contract to prepare biometric voters' register, on Wednesday reaffirmed before the government and the Constitutional Court that biometric poll lists will be used during Gabon's 2013 local elections, an official source has said.

The official statement indicated that the company's vice- chairman Youzec Kurp had assured the government and the Constitutional Court that all measures had been taken to ensure the biometric voters' list will be ready on time.

The next presidential elections in Gabon are scheduled for 2016.

Gabon Opposition: "No biometrics, no transparency, no elections"

Bongo party claims absolute majority in Gabon election (AFP via @francesIDexpert)

President Ali Bongo's Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) claimed Sunday to have won an absolute majority in general elections that were boycotted by many opposition groups and voters.

The party had won at least 73 of the 120 seats in parliament and its final tally was expected go higher, said a PDG source close to the interior ministry.

Official results are expected "probably Thursday", according to the electoral commission.

In all, 13 opposition groups urged supporters not to vote. They wanted the government to implement biometric voter security measures, such as fingerprinting, as a way of preventing fraud.

Ali's father, Omar, ruled Gabon from 1967 until his death in office in 2009.