The top electoral official of Sao Tome and Principe has urged President Fradique de Menezes to set a date quickly for the islands' upcoming legislative poll to avoid organizational problems.

According to reports reaching here on Monday, the head of the National Electoral Commission (CEN), Carlos Barreiro said, "it would be very helpful if we already knew when the elections will take place so that we will not have problems in organizing the event."

Barreiro indicated that the CEN expected de Menezes to set a date for the ballot at any moment.

Parties backing the government of Prime Minister Maria do Carmo Silveira, but opposing the president, have demanded de Menezes announce the date of the regularly scheduled election immediately to allow them time to prepare properly.

On January 25, de Menezes' legal aide, Ngelo Bonfim, dismissed the criticism as nothing more than "fabrication of political facts " and said that, constitutionally, the president had until February 24 to set the election date.

The president consulted all party leaders in early January on the election, later indicating the vote would likely take place in the latter half of March.

Source: Xinhua