Voting for Cote d’Ivoire’s presidential election proceeded smoothly on Saturday, though voter turnout varied across polling stations in Abidjan, according to electoral authorities.

“All polling stations are open and functioning normally. Security forces, deployed for three weeks, are fully fulfilling their mission,” said Minister of Interior and Security Vagondo Diomande following a field inspection.

The government mobilized 44,000 police officers, gendarmes, and military personnel nationwide to secure the vote. In the densely populated Yopougon commune, police patrols were visible on motorcycles and in pickup trucks, ensuring calm in one of Abidjan’s busiest districts.

According to the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), a total of 25,678 polling stations were set up, including 25,370 within the country and 308 abroad, to accommodate 8,727,431 registered voters, of whom 120,178 reside overseas.

The electoral process was closely monitored by national and international observers, including 251 experts from a joint AU-ECOWAS mission. In total, 2,300 observers were deployed across the country to oversee the process and ensure transparency.

President Alassane Ouattara, who is seeking a fourth term, cast his ballot late in the morning at Sainte Marie High School in Cocody. After voting, he called for peace and urged citizens to respect the democratic process, expressing hope that results would be announced “by tomorrow at the latest.”

Ouattara, aged 83, represents the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace and is running against Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, candidate of the Movement of Capable Generations; Jean-Louis Billon of the Democratic Congress; Ahoua Don Mello, an independent candidate; and Henriette Lagou Adjoua of the Group of Political Partners for Peace.

The election took place amid heightened political tension, following court rulings that barred two major opposition figures, Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, from running. The campaign period was marked by protests, some of which turned violent, leading to the arrest of 700 people and prison sentences of up to 36 months for nearly 30 demonstrators.

Source: Xinhua News Agency