Overview
- President Alassane Ouattara, 83, is seeking another term enabled by a 2016 constitutional reset, with Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam excluded from the ballot.
- Roughly 8.7 million registered voters are called to cast ballots today, with five candidates officially cleared to run.
- Authorities have banned demonstrations and mobilized about 44,000 soldiers, gendarmes and police across the country.
- Prosecutors report around 700 arrests since mid-October, with more than 80 protesters quickly sentenced to three-year prison terms.
- The election commission says a fire at its Yamoussoukro office caused no injuries and will not disrupt voting, as distrust—especially among young people—stays elevated.