IVORY COAST ELECTION: 83-YEAR-OLD OUATTARA SET FOR 4TH TERM AS BILLON CONCEDES DEFEAT
The incumbent president appears poised to extend his long rule after his closest rival conceded, though low turnout and candidate exclusions cast a shadow over the electoral process.
President Alassane Ouattara, 83, appears set to secure a controversial fourth term in office after former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon conceded defeat in Ivory Coast’s presidential election, with early results showing the incumbent commanding a substantial nationwide lead.
“The initial results place the incumbent President, Mr Alassane Ouattara, in the lead, designating him the winner of this presidential election,” Billon stated on Sunday, extending congratulations to the longtime leader.
The election was marked by a fractured opposition and the exclusion of two major political figures. Former President Laurent Gbagbo was barred due to a criminal conviction, while Tidjane Thiam, former Credit Suisse chief and Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) leader, was disqualified over his French citizenship. These exclusions triggered pre-election protests and boycott calls.
According to the electoral commission, voter turnout was approximately 50%, with notable regional disparities. While polling stations in Abidjan and opposition strongholds in the south and west saw low participation, turnout was significantly higher in the north, where Ouattara maintains strong support.
With the opposition divided and his closest rival conceding, Ouattara is widely expected to extend his rule in a nation where his leadership has already spanned more than a decade. The Independent Electoral Commission continues to release partial results, with final official outcomes expected in the coming days.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
