Loading Now

Côte d’Ivoire’s Provisional Electoral Roll at 8.7 Million Amid Opposition Calls for Review

Côte d’Ivoire’s Independent Electoral Commission reported 8.7 million voters on the provisional electoral roll, with opposition demanding revisions ahead of the October 25 presidential election. Despite anticipated complaints regarding inconsistencies, the IEC maintains that a tight schedule offers little opportunity for changes. Political coalitions are forming in response to concerns over electoral transparency, while current President Alassane Ouattara remains unannounced regarding his re-election intentions.

This year, Côte d’Ivoire’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reported that nearly 8.7 million voters are included in the provisional electoral roll. This list has been officially submitted to political parties, yet opposition factions are calling for a revision before the presidential election scheduled for October 25.

Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert, president of the IEC, indicated that a “mid-term review” of the electoral process is currently underway. The provisional list contains approximately 769,757 new registrations. Starting Saturday, citizens will have the opportunity to report discrepancies on the electoral roll.

Coulibaly-Kuibiert noted that, “The electoral calendar is tight and precise,” leaving little scope for additional reviews prior to the upcoming election. However, the opposition, represented by Kaza Djah of the PPA-CI, expressed concerns about the timeline and the transparency of the election process. Djah stated that the IEC “does not want to organise transparent elections” and emphasized the necessity for an audit of the list, which they assert should include over 12.5 million voters.

The political landscape is marked by the absence of former President Laurent Gbagbo and COJEP leader Charles Blé Goudé from the provisional list due to ineligibility stemming from court convictions. Additionally, a coalition called the Coalition for Peaceful Change was established on March 10, uniting various political parties with the aim of initiating electoral reforms and promoting political dialogue.

The IEC anticipates releasing the finalized voters’ list around June 20. Current President Alassane Ouattara, who has not yet declared his candidacy for the presidential election set for October 2025, has received strong backing from his ruling party, the RHDP, for a potential fourth term – although official announcements regarding his candidacy remain pending.

In summary, Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral landscape is faced with significant tension as the opposition raises concerns regarding the validity of the provisional electoral list. With approximately 8.7 million voters registered and upcoming elections on the horizon, calls for revisions and the establishment of a transparent electoral process are paramount. The political dynamics continue to evolve, particularly regarding the stance of former leaders and ongoing coalitions aimed at reform. As the IEC prepares to finalize the electoral roll, the actions taken or not taken could greatly influence the upcoming presidential elections.

Original Source: www.inkl.com

Post Comment