Côte d’Ivoire to hold local, regional elections on September 02

Ivorians will head to the polls on September 02 for local and regional elections, government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly said Thursday following a Cabinet meeting.

The polls were initially scheduled to take place in October 2023 but have been advanced owing to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 the country is set to host. The competition is slated from January 13 to February 2024.

“Under the Ministry of Interior and Security, the Council adopted a decree convening the electoral colleges for the elections of regional councilors and municipal councilors in 2023. In accordance with national electoral legislation and on the proposal of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), this decree convenes the electoral colleges on the date of Saturday, September 02, 2023 for the election of regional councilors and municipal councilors”, Coulibaly said.

The West African country has 31 regions and 201 communes. The ruling party, RHDP (Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix) unveiled names of its candidates. 31 people including 11 members of the cabinet among whom Prime Minister Patrick Achi, are on the party’s ticket.