Côte d’Ivoire-Preliminary Results in Côte d’Ivoire Point to Fourth Term for Ouattara amid Opposition Boycott
ABIDJAN /Kampala. In Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential election held on October 25, early results strongly favour incumbent Alassane Ouattara, paving the way for a possible fourth term for the 83-year-old leader.
Opposition candidate Jean‑Louis Billon has conceded defeat, citing the trends in the partial results.
Election context
Nearly 9 million Ivorians were registered to vote.
Two major opposition figures — former president Laurent Gbagbo and businessman Tidjane Thiam — were barred from running for legal or nationality reasons, weakening the opposition’s prospects.
Voting day saw a largely calm process in Abidjan, although some protests and disruptions (including theft of polling materials) were reported in parts of the south-west.
Results and dynamics
According to the independent electoral commission’s initial data, Ouattara is leading by a wide margin, with some stronghold regions giving him over 90 % of the vote.
Turnout appears mixed: in Abidjan voting stations were not crowded; however, some districts like Bouaké (his stronghold) saw long queues.
Though official final results are still pending, the trend indicates Ouattara will continue as president. The opposition, however, has already voiced accusations of an unlevel playing field.
Implications
If confirmed, Ouattara’s fourth term would further extend one of West Africa’s longest-serving presidencies, raising questions about leadership renewal.
The exclusion of major opposition contenders and the youth’s disengagement — many say they didn’t vote — point to deeper issues of democratic legitimacy and representation among younger Ivorians.
Stability appears maintained for now, but the underlying political tensions and sense of limited choice may simmer beneath the surface.
What comes next
Definitive results from the electoral commission are expected shortly; any formal challenges or opposition mobilization will be critical to watch.
The international community and local civil society will look at how inclusive and transparent the process is seen to be, especially given the barring of key opponents.
For the youth and opposition in Côte d’Ivoire, the longer-term question remains: how to inject fresh leadership and address unemployment and marginalisation.
