Côte d’Ivoire: Local re-elections set for December 16 /update 7

Event

The Council of Ministers announced on Monday, December 3, that election re-runs will be held in two regions and six municipalities after the Supreme Court annulled the results of the October 13 vote due to violence. Elections will be held in the municipalities of Grand-Bassam, Port-Bouët, Bingerville, Lakota, Rubino, and Booko as well as the regions of Lôh-Djiboua and Guémon. The campaign period will start on Saturday, December 8, and run through Friday, December 14. Heightened security measures are anticipated around all election-related events and polling stations. Violence between supporters of rival parties, and between supporters and security forces, during and after the vote cannot be ruled out.

Context

Violence erupted in several cities across the country on the day of these elections, held to choose city and regional counselors, notably in Abidjan, Diabo (center), Tiébissou (center), Lakota, Séguela (center), Divo, Bonoua (south), and Grand-Bassam. At least three people were killed. According to official results, the RHDP (Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix) ruling coalition has won the 13 October municipal and regional elections, garnering 46 percent of the vote in the municipal elections and 60 percent of the vote in the regional elections.

Advice

As a precautionary measure, individuals present in Côte d'Ivoire are advised to monitor local media, avoid all protests and demonstrations (as they could turn violent), and refrain from discussing domestic political issues in public.