Updated

A special adviser to the transitional president of Central African Republic says the country's national election will be postponed a few days to Dec. 30.

Henri Pascal Bolanga said Thursday the National Election Authority needed to shift the Dec. 27 election date to deal with technical and organizational difficulties. Election representatives met with the heads of the transitional government, presidential candidates and representatives from international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union.

Bolanga said all parties agreed to a three-day delay but the Constitutional Court must now ratify the new date.

Sectarian violence has gripped Central African Republic since the overthrow of the president in 2013. The election this month will usher in new leaders to replace the transitional government and is seen as a shift toward stability.