Côte d’Ivoire electoral reform praised for promoting transparency and stability

Abidjan, June 30, 2026 — The Alliance of Ivoirians for Democracy (AID) and the Union of Popular Masses for Peace (UMPP) have commended the government’s decision to initiate electoral governance reforms. The move reflects the administration’s responsiveness to long-standing concerns raised by political parties and civil society organizations, they stated in a joint declaration.

The announcement came following an information session held on June 22 at the Prime Minister’s Office in Abidjan. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, focused on the restructuring of the electoral body, whose mandate had expired.

In their statement, the AID-UMPP highlighted the government’s decision to dissolve the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and introduce a new electoral governance framework as a direct response to demands for greater transparency and fairness in elections. The reforms are seen as a pivotal step toward rebuilding trust among political stakeholders and averting pre- and post-election disputes.

The group acknowledged the past contributions of the CEI while endorsing the government’s plan to establish three distinct bodies: one responsible for logistical election management, another for vote tabulation, and a third for overall electoral oversight. This tripartite structure, they argued, is grounded in principles of professionalism, neutrality, efficiency, and transparency, all of which are essential to sustaining institutional stability and enhancing the credibility of future elections.

The AID-UMPP further urged political parties, civil society leaders, community representatives, and all electoral stakeholders to support the reform’s implementation with a sense of responsibility, patriotism, and constructive dialogue. They also called on the government to maintain its commitment to national cohesion and stability, emphasizing the critical role of institutional trust in safeguarding democracy and peace in Côte d’Ivoire.