President Alassane Ouattara has officially been declared the winner of Ivory Coast’s presidential election, extending his rule for a fourth term. The country’s Independent Electoral Commission announced on Monday that Ouattara won with 89.77% of the votes cast.
Nearly nine million Ivorians were eligible to vote in the October 25 election, but turnout was around 50%, according to the commission. The vote took place amid tension and widespread criticism after two key opposition figures — former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex–Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam — were barred from running due to legal and citizenship issues.
Of the remaining four candidates, none were seen as major challengers. Former Commerce Minister Jean-Louis Billon conceded early, congratulating Ouattara after partial results showed the president leading by large margins nationwide, including in southern opposition areas with notably low turnout.
Ouattara’s decision to seek a fourth term sparked controversy, with critics arguing it violated constitutional term limits. The president, however, claimed that a 2016 constitutional reform effectively “reset” his term count. Protests against his candidacy led to dozens of arrests and a ban on public demonstrations.
Despite concerns over fairness and legitimacy, Ouattara’s ruling party celebrated the victory as a sign of “stability and continuity.” However, opposition leaders and civil groups warned that the low turnout and exclusion of major rivals have deepened political divides in one of West Africa’s largest economies.