Côte d’Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire gained independence on August 7, 1960, with Félix Houphouët-Boigny becoming its first president. His leadership, which lasted until 1993, brought decades of political stability and economic growth.

200M+

Population

7:6

Men-Women Ratio

25%

Women Representation

Overview

Côte d’Ivoire gained independence on August 7, 1960, with Félix Houphouët-Boigny becoming its first president. His leadership, which lasted until 1993, brought decades of political stability and economic growth.

The country operates under a presidential–parliamentary system featuring a directly elected President, serving five-year terms via a two-round majority vote and a bicameral Parliament comprising a National Assembly and a Senate. The unicameral National Assembly (the lower chamber) has 255 members elected for five-year terms, using a mix of single-member and multi-member plurality systems.

Political Challenges & Transition Points

Côte d’Ivoire’s modern political landscape has been shaped by civil conflict and contested transitions:

– In 1999, the first coup in its history overthrew President Henri Konan Bédié, ushering in military rule under Robert Guéi.
– The First Ivorian Civil War (2002–2007) erupted out of political exclusion and identity issues, effectively dividing the country and leading to French and UN-led interventions to restore peace.
– In 2010, tensions over disputed election results between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara sparked a violent post-election crisis with thousands of casualties, quelled only through international mediation.
– Post-conflict, Côte d’Ivoire returned to regular elections. In the 2020 presidential election, President Ouattara secured a highly contested third term, boycotted by key opposition figures sparking renewed unrest.
– Subsequent March 2021 legislative elections saw greater opposition participation and a relatively calm process, with Ouattara’s ruling party (RHDP) retaining a legislative majority.

Current Dynamics & Democratic Concerns

As the October 2025 presidential election approaches, tensions are rising amid allegations of democratic erosion. President Ouattara plans to run for a controversial fourth term, enabled by a constitutional reset in 2016, while leading opposition figures, including Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, have been barred from the race, inciting widespread protests and international scrutiny.

Upcoming Elections

December 27, 2025

Parliamentary Elections

Scheduled

Legislative (Parliamentary) Election 27 December 2025 (proposed by CEI)

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October 25, 2025

Presidential Election

Completed

Presidential Election held 25 October 2025

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Participation Metrics

Voter Turnout: Voter turnout in Côte d’Ivoire has fluctuated across election cycles, reflecting both political engagement and periods of tension. In the 2025 presidential election, turnout was around 50%, amounting to more total votes cast than in 2020, where turnout was 53.9%. Although the percentage dropped slightly, the increased number of voters demonstrates rising participation linked to demographic growth and expanded voter registration. Turnout trends often mirror the political climate, with higher engagement occurring when elections are competitive and public trust in the process is stronger.

Registered Voters: Côte d’Ivoire’s voter register continues to expand, with over 8.5 million registered voters recorded ahead of the 2025 elections. A significant 943,157 people registered for the first time during the most recent revision, while over half a million updated their information. This steady growth is driven by population increases, civic education campaigns, and administrative improvements in biometric registration. The size and accuracy of the voter register are critical for credible elections, as they determine the inclusiveness and representativeness of the electoral process.

Age/Youth: Youth constitute one of the most influential voter groups in Côte d’Ivoire, with a large portion of new registrants being young first-time voters. Their priorities such as employment, stability, and political change, shape electoral discourse and influence campaign strategies. Although official turnout data by age bracket is limited, media and observer reports consistently highlight strong youth interest in elections, suggesting that younger voters are increasingly assertive in demanding accountability and long-term development commitments from political leaders.

Gender: Gender distribution within the electorate is relatively balanced, with women making up about 48% of registered voters and men 52%. However, turnout data shows that women often participate at slightly lower rates than men. Côte d’Ivoire has introduced measures such as a 30% quota for women on candidate lists in multi-member constituencies to improve women’s political representation. Despite this progress, challenges such as limited political space, socio-economic barriers, and cultural expectations continue to affect women’s full participation in the electoral process.

Other Groups: Several other demographic groups play important roles in elections, including persons with disabilities, who number over 11,000 on the electoral roll. Their inclusion reflects efforts to enhance accessibility, though turnout and political engagement among them remain areas needing improvement. Additionally, civil society networks, youth associations, and local community organizations contribute significantly to voter mobilization and electoral transparency. These groups help broaden participation, support civic education, and ensure that elections better reflect the diversity of the Ivorian population.

Key Electoral Institutions

Political parties and the National Assembly

Political parties and the National Assembly are crucial to the functioning of Mauritania’s electoral system, even though they are not direct management bodies. Political parties mobilize citizens, nominate candidates, and monitor elections through agents and observers. The National Assembly contributes by debating and enacting electoral laws, shaping the legal framework within which CENI and other institutions operate. Together, they provide democratic oversight and ensure political pluralism in the electoral environment.

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Constitutional Council

They serve as the highest judicial authority on electoral and constitutional matters in Mauritania. It validates and proclaims final election results, particularly for presidential and parliamentary elections, and confirms the eligibility of presidential candidates. The Council also adjudicates electoral disputes, ensuring that elections comply with the constitution and legal framework. Its rulings are final and binding, giving it a central role in safeguarding the integrity and legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

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Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI)

This is Mauritania’s principal body responsible for organizing and supervising all elections, including presidential, parliamentary, regional, and municipal polls. It operates as an autonomous institution mandated to ensure transparency, neutrality, and fairness in the electoral process. CENI oversees voter registration, monitors campaign conduct, manages the logistics of voting and counting, and announces provisional results. Its members are appointed through political consensus, typically representing both ruling and opposition parties, to reinforce public confidence and political balance.

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Direction Générale des Élections (DGE)

The DGE is the main new electoral management body in Guinea, created by decree in 2025. It is responsible for organising elections (both elections and referendums), maintaining and managing the electoral register, and guaranteeing aspects of electoral fairness. The DGE also represents Guinea in regional and international electoral organisations.

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Judiciary (Election Petitions)

The High Court of The Gambia hears election petitions. (Election Petition Rules 1976 govern the process.)

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Electoral Laws & Policies

Constitution of Côte d’Ivoire, 2020
https://www.cei.ci/textes-de-loi/

New Electoral Code (Code Électoral)
https://www.cei.ci/textes-de-loi/

Law on CEI (Commission Électorale Indépendante)
https://cei.ci/presentation-de-la-cei/

Accredited Election Monitoring Organizations

Action Justice (ONG)

Observatoire de la Solidarité et de la Cohésion Sociale (OSCS)

Gambia Press Union (GPU)

CSO Coalition on Elections

Gambia Participates (GP)

GNDEM (Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors)

Forum des Organisations Nationales des Droits Humains (FONADH)

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)

Recent Election Publication

News & Updates

Election Result Platform

How To Monitor Elections In

Côte d’Ivoire

Legal basis: Observation permitted under Togolese electoral law; observers must follow accreditation rules, safety protocols, and non-interference guidelines.