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Ouattara’s key contenders were barred from the race this year, and his announcement that he was seeking a fourth term sparked major protests in August. Political marches were banned this month, and protesters clashed with police in Abidjan’s Blockhauss neighborhood, leaving hundreds arrested and several injured.
Polls have closed and counting has begun in Ivory Coast’s Saturday presidential election, as longtime President Alassane Ouattara seeks a fourth term. Only a few voters trickled in just before 6 p.m when polls closed.
Ouattara’s key contenders were barred from the race this year, and his announcement that he was seeking a fourth term sparked major protests in August. Political marches were banned this month, and protesters clashed with police in Abidjan’s Blockhauss neighborhood, leaving hundreds arrested and several injured.
Other voters also expressed a desire for peace above all else. Five candidates are jostling for Ivory Coast’s top job, but many see Ouattara, the 83-year-old leader of the world’s biggest producer of cocoa, retaining his seat. If he wins, he will extend his rule to almost two decades. Ouattara’s party, the Rally of Houphouetistes for Democracy and Peace, or RHDP, also holds a majority of seats in parliament.
Ouattara has overseen the country’s economic reconstruction since the civil war, achieving an annual growth rate of 6% backed by a boom in cocoa. However, 37.5% of the country’s 30 million people still live in poverty, and jobs are scarce for young people. The country’s last two elections saw a voter turnout of slightly above 50%.
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Analysts say this election is expected to have low voter turnout, as many voters are disenchanted with the electoral process that has often brought violence to the country.
