Voters in Abidjan and across Côte d’Ivoire went to the polls on Saturday for the country’s 2025 presidential election.
At a school‑based centre in Plateau de Port‑Bouet 2, many people arrived before the official start time of 8 a.m. local time. Police and gendarmes watched the line, and the station will stay open until 6 p.m.
The Independent Electoral Commission has set up 25,678 polling stations – 25,370 inside the country and 308 abroad – to serve 8,727,431 registered voters. 8,607,253 are inside Côte d’Ivoire and 120,178 are overseas citizens.
Eleven‑year‑old President Alassane Ouattara, age 83, is running for a fourth term as a member of the Rally of Houphouët‑Istitists for Democracy and Peace. He faces four other candidates: former first lady Simone Ehivet Gbagbo (76) of the Movement of Capable Generations, Jean‑Louis Billon (60) of the Democratic Congress, independent Ahoua Don Mello (67) and Henriette Lagou Adjoua (66) of the Group of Political Partners for Peace.
The election comes amid heightened political tension after court rulings barred several key opposition leaders from running. The government last week announced a two‑month temporary ban on public gatherings and demonstrations organized by political parties or groups. The ban, issued by Interior Minister Vagondo Diomande and Defence Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara, is intended to keep public order and national security during the election period. Only demonstrations directly tied to the electoral process are allowed; others face prosecution. Enforcement of the ban falls to senior officials in territorial administration, the Gendarmerie and the National Police.
The official campaign period ran from October 10 to October 23. The vote will now decide who will lead Côte d’Ivoire into the next term.
Source: ianslive
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