BANGUI (AFP) – The Central African Republic will hold presidential and legislative elections on April 25, according to a decree issued by President Francois Bozize read out on state radio Thursday.

"The campaign will begin on April 12 at midnight and close on April 23 at midnight," the text read.

It said polling booths would be open from 0600 to 1600 local time (0500 to 1500 GMT).

No other information was furnished, notably on the date of a possible second round.

The country's Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), charged with organising and supervising the country's elections, told AFP Wednesday it had proposed April 18 for the first round of voting and May 23 for the second.

Bozize, in power since he ousted ex-president Ange-Felix Patasse in 2003, has not yet declared his candidacy but many observers believe he will run for reelection.

Patasse and his former prime minister Martin Ziguele are among four political figures who have declared their interest in running for president.

In a December report, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Centrafrican elections must take place before the end of April to comply with the country's constitution.

For her part, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay urged local authorities to organise "free and transparent elections," during a visit to the country last week.

Pillay also called on all parties to put their differences aside and work for a poll whose outcome would not be disputed.

Another potential presidential candidate, former government minister Eloi Anguimate who heads a small opposition party, expressed fears in January that his life was threatened after two kidnap bids.

Centrafrican authorities declined to comment on Anguimate's claims when contacted by AFP at the time.