Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara, aged 83, has secured his fourth term as president. Provisional results indicate a landslide victory with 89.8% of the vote, though the election was marked by a low voter turnout of just 50.1%.
The outcome was largely anticipated, especially after key opposition figures, former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, were barred from participating. Both had encouraged their supporters to boycott the election, contributing to the reduced turnout.
Ouattara first came to power in 2011 following a period of unrest after the 2010 election. His eligibility for a fourth term, following a 2016 constitutional change that was intended to limit him to two terms, has been a contentious issue, particularly as the opposition has labelled the election a “civilian coup d’etat.”
The electoral commission’s provisional results will be finalized by the Constitutional Council after considering any election petitions.