Ouattara re-elected for Fourth Term as opposition boycotts polls

Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has secured a fourth term in office, winning 89.77 percent of the vote, according to the country’s electoral commission on Monday.

His two main rivals were barred from contesting the election.

Nearly nine million voters were eligible to cast their ballots on Saturday in the West African nation, the world’s top cocoa producer, which has largely avoided coups and jihadist attacks affecting the region.

Tensions, however, escalated in the lead-up to the election, with some violence reported.

Early tallies suggested Ouattara would win decisively, and he also led in traditionally pro-opposition areas, including parts of Abidjan.

Entrepreneur Jean-Louis Billon came second with 3.09 percent, while turnout stood at 50.10 percent, comparable to the 2020 vote, which Ouattara won with 94 percent in an opposition boycott.

Former president Laurent Gbagbo was barred due to a criminal conviction, and ex-Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam was disqualified for acquiring French nationality.

Political observers noted that Ouattara’s supporters turned out in force, particularly in northern strongholds, while supporters of the excluded opposition largely abstained.

In Gbagbo’s former base of Gagnoa, Ouattara won 92 percent of votes, but with just 20 percent turnout.

The opposition has rejected the results, questioning Ouattara’s legitimacy and calling for new elections.

Ahead of the vote, unrest left at least eight people dead and dozens injured. The government deployed 44,000 security personnel and enforced curfews in certain areas.

Ouattara first assumed office after the 2010-2011 election crisis with Gbagbo, which claimed over 3,000 lives.

Read Also: Paul Biya declared winner of Cameroon Presidential poll amid protests

While pro-Ouattara media praised the vote as “a calm election,” opposition outlets described it as reflecting a divided country.

AFP

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