Ivory Coast has announced the dissolution of its Independent Electoral Commission following mounting criticism from opposition parties over the credibility of recent elections.
The decision comes after the October presidential poll in which President Alassane Ouattara secured a fourth term, amid controversy over the exclusion of several key opposition candidates from the race.
Government spokesperson and Communications Minister Amadou Coulibaly said the move was taken in response to widespread concerns about the commission’s independence and public trust in the electoral process. He said a new electoral mechanism would be developed to ensure more transparent and peaceful elections, though details have not yet been released.
Opposition leaders have long accused the commission of favouring the ruling party and failing to operate independently. Former prime minister Pascal Affi N’Guessan, who was barred from contesting the last election, has called for broad national dialogue involving political actors and civil society to rebuild confidence in the electoral system.
The Independent Electoral Commission is responsible for organising elections, maintaining the voters’ register, and enforcing electoral laws. Critics say its credibility has been repeatedly undermined, particularly after constitutional changes in 2016 that allowed President Ouattara to run for a controversial third term, an election that was largely boycotted by opposition parties.
The government says the planned reforms aim to strengthen democratic institutions and reduce political tensions ahead of future elections, but opposition groups are demanding guarantees of genuine independence and inclusivity in any new structure.
