The Constitutional Council on September 9 published the provisional list of candidates for Côte d’Ivoire’s October 25, 2025 presidential election. In total, 60 applications were submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) between July 1 and August 26.
After review, only five candidates were approved to run for the presidency. They are Henriette Lagou (GP-PAIX), Jean-Louis Billon (CODE), Simone Ehivet Gbagbo (MGC), Ahoua Don-Mello (Independent), and Alassane Ouattara (RHDP). Among those rejected were Assalé Tiémoko (Aujourd’hui et Demain la Côte d’Ivoire) and former Abidjan prefect Vincent Toh Bi, both disqualified for insufficient endorsements. The opposition has already challenged incumbent President Ouattara’s candidacy, arguing that a fourth term is unconstitutional.
This announcement has heightened political tensions just six weeks before Ivorians head to the polls. Debate now centers on the legitimacy of the electoral process and the reaction of excluded candidates.
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