* Ivorian election commission confirms voter list delay * Political parties express dismay, warn on further delays (Adds parties' reaction, details, by-line) By Loucoumane Coulibaly ABIDJAN, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast's election commission confirmed on Tuesday that it had missed a deadline to publish provisional voter lists and political parties warned that the top cocoa grower may miss another poll date. The publication of the lists, initially delayed in late August, is a crucial step towards holding a Nov. 29 poll aimed at ending a seven-year crisis, during which rebels have controlled the north and the country's economy has stagnated. "(The election commission) is working with the prime minister's office and other organisations to ensure the provisional lists will be published in the coming days," the commission said in a statement as Tuesday's deadline passed. However, officials told Reuters on Monday the election lists would not be ready for publication for about two weeks due to a combination of the lack of funds and logistical problems in the West African country. [ID:nLE174759] The election body said just 5 percent of the work to analyse some 6.5 million people registered during the identification process remained, and called on all involved to remain calm. Once published, the lists will have to be agreed upon by voters and political parties before election cards are printed. "We think it is a shame that the lists are not ready," Pascal Affi N'guessan, head of President Laurent Gbagbo's Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party, told Reuters. "We don't want to sacrifice the quality of the lists but we hope the delay won't be too long. If we go beyond Sept. 30, it will be difficult to complete the process by Nov. 29." "QUESTION OF CREDIBILITY" Questions of nationality and who will be eligible to vote are sensitive in Ivory Coast. They were among the reasons cited by the rebels, now known as the New Forces (FN), in fighting a 2002-2003 war against Gbagbo. The conflict has long since died down but polls, first due in 2005, have been repeatedly delayed in a tortuous peace process amid accusations that the belligerents were profiting from the status quo while most Ivorians increasingly suffered. The opposition Rally for the Republicans (RDR), whose leader Alassane Ouattarra has previously been ruled out of standing on grounds of nationality but will challenge Gbagbo in the poll, issued its own warning on further delays. "This is a shame. We call on the (election commission) to tell us what the problems are. The first round of the election must take place on Nov. 29," said RDR spokesman Ally Coulibaly. "Otherwise there will be questions over the credibility of the election commission," he added. Analysts say Ivory Coast needs to hold a successful poll to reclaim its spot as one of West Africa's most vibrant economies and stable nations. Many of the reforms needed to improve the cocoa sector also hinge on the vote taking place, they say. (Writing by David Lewis; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
