Ivory Coast holds tense parliamentary elections amid security concerns
Alassane Ouattara is seeking to strengthen his party’s grip on Ivory Coast’s parliament as the country holds legislative elections. The polls come two months after the 83-year-old president secured a new term in a controversial presidential vote. Scuffles broke out at some polling stations, but authorities say the incidents were minor and under control. Voter turnout appeared low in several areas, with some opposition parties boycotting the election.
What we know
- Alassane Ouattara’s RHDP party currently holds a majority in the 255-seat national assembly.
- More than eight million people are registered to vote, but turnout was reported low in some districts of Abidjan.
- Over 40,000 security personnel were maintained for the election following violence in the previous presidential poll.
- The PPA-CI party of former president Laurent Gbagbo boycotted the legislative election, though some members ran as independents.
- Scuffles occurred at polling stations, but officials said they did not disrupt the overall voting process.
