9 November, the Constitutional Council ratified the controversial re-election of President Alassane Ouattara for a third term in office with 94.27% of the vote in the first round of the presidential elections held 31 October.
The opposition had boycotted the elections and had blocked voting in some 5,000 polling stations, affecting around 1.5 million registered voters, who were not included in the electorate. The Constitutional Council said it had observed « no serious irregularities » and that the turnout rate had reached 53.9%. As for the opposition, it estimates that the rate was just « 8% or less ».
Following the elections, President Alassane Ouattara has remained firm with regards to his opponents, who have mostly either been arrested or placed under house arrest. The National Transitional Council (CNT) led by former president and opponent, Henri Konan Bédié, appears to be destined to fail, according to several Ivorian analysts, who meanwhile have also noted that backstage negotiations have been opened between the authorities and the opposition. Meanwhile, Guillaume Soro seems to have been discredited following his recent call for an armed insurrection, which failed to have an effect.
Renewed violent demonstrations were reported in the morning of 9 November in several cities, including Yamoussoukro and Abidjan, where clashes were seen between protesters and security forces in Yopougon.
Additional opposition rallies could also be staged in the coming days in the opposition strongholds of Bongouanou, Daoukro, Divo, Gagnoa and Bonoua.
We remind you that in Abidjan, the traditional rallying places are: the Plateau business district, Yopougon, Riviera and Cocody, as well as the headquarters of both the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and the Constitutional Council. In view of the post-election crisis, such demonstrations are often accompanied by roadblocks and violence with the security forces. At least 14 people have lost their lives in the violence since the 31 October elections.
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