
Ivory Coast’s political landscape has intensified ahead of the October 25, 2025, presidential election as incumbent President Alassane Ouattara launched his campaign in Daloa, a region traditionally considered an opposition stronghold.
His bid for a fourth term has been met with sharp criticism from opposition parties, which have labelled his candidacy unconstitutional.
Speaking at the campaign rally, Ouattara, president of the ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), relied on his party’s extensive electoral network to consolidate support.
The RHDP has dominated recent legislative, municipal, and regional elections, winning 137 of 255 National Assembly seats in 2021, 123 mayoral positions in 2023, and 25 of 31 regional councils. Party officials attribute this success to strategic alliances, defections from opposition parties, and Ouattara’s personal political appeal.
The opposition remains deeply divided. The PDCI and PPA-CI, two main opposition parties, have distanced themselves from candidates perceived as too close to rival factions.
PDCI spokesperson Dr. Bredoumy Soumaila clarified that Jean-Louis Billon, a party official running independently, would not receive PDCI backing, stating: “He has always wanted to be an independent candidate, let him assume his responsibilities and address the people of Côte d’Ivoire, and we will see in the end what score he will get and if he can negotiate.”
Similarly, Ahoua Don-Mello, a former PPA-CI executive, was excluded from the party after announcing his presidential bid, despite initially presenting it as a precautionary candidacy.
Meanwhile, Charles Blé Goudé, leading the Cojep party, has endorsed former First Lady Simone Ehivet, urging citizens to vote for her as a vehicle for political change. Analysts suggest that this fragmentation benefits Ouattara by diluting opposition cohesion.
Turnout remains an open question. Past elections have been marked by low participation or boycotts.
In 2015, only around half of registered voters cast ballots, while the 2020 election saw a 53.9% turnout amid opposition boycott.
With 8.7 million registered voters in 2025, mobilizing citizens who feel politically excluded—particularly supporters of Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam—poses a challenge for both the incumbent and the opposition.
For Ouattara, the primary objective is securing a decisive first-round victory, but the presence of candidates like Simone Ehivet and Jean-Louis Billon could attract disaffected voters, potentially influencing voter turnout and reshaping the electoral dynamics in Ivory Coast