Ouattara Wins Ivory Coast Presidential Election Amid Low Turnout and Opposition Boycott

President Alassane Ouattara has secured a landslide victory in Ivory Coast’s presidential election, winning more than 90 percent of the vote, according to provisional results announced on Sunday.

Nearly nine million Ivorians were eligible to vote on Saturday in the world’s top cocoa-producing nation, which has largely remained stable amid coups and jihadist violence across West Africa. However, the election was marred by low turnout and opposition boycotts.

The electoral commission’s president, Ibrahime Kuibiert Coulibaly, reported a 50.10 percent turnout — similar to 2020, when Ouattara won 94 percent in a contested vote. Entrepreneur Jean-Louis Billon finished a distant second with just over 3 percent.

This year’s race saw several key figures barred from running, including former president Laurent Gbagbo, due to a criminal conviction, and ex-Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, over dual nationality. Their exclusion, analysts say, contributed to voter apathy and heightened political tension.

In Gagnoa, Gbagbo’s southern stronghold, Ouattara secured 92 percent of the vote, though only 20 percent of voters participated. Across much of Abidjan and the south, polling stations saw sparse attendance.

“The turnout rate shows two things,” said political analyst Geoffroy Kouao. “Ouattara’s supporters turned out in force, while those of Gbagbo and Thiam stayed away.”

The opposition has rejected the results, calling the election illegitimate and demanding a fresh vote.

Despite isolated clashes that left at least eight people dead and dozens injured, authorities described the election as largely peaceful. About 44,000 security personnel were deployed nationwide, and a curfew was imposed in some areas to maintain order.

Ouattara, who first rose to power after the deadly 2010–2011 post-election crisis that claimed over 3,000 lives, is now set to extend his rule amid lingering political divisions.

While pro-government newspaper Le Patriote hailed “a calm election” and praised Ivorians for rejecting “prophets of doom,” opposition daily Notre Voie described the outcome as “an election reflecting a divided country.”