The opposition coalition in Ivory Coast, known as the Coalition for Peaceful Change (CAP-CI), has issued a call for comprehensive electoral reforms ahead of the pivotal presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025. The coalition, formed in March 2025, is demanding changes to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
Key Demands for Electoral Reform
The CAP-CI is seeking several key reforms, including:
- Revision of Electoral Lists: The coalition is calling for a thorough revision of the electoral lists, citing controversy surrounding the removal of several prominent opposition figures, including the coalition’s coordinator, Tidjane Thiam.
- Publication of Election Results: The CAP-CI is also demanding the publication of election results by polling station to ensure transparency.
- Political Dialogue: The coalition is emphasizing the need for “political dialogue” to address concerns surrounding the impartiality of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which it sees as biased.
Concerns Over Electoral Process
The opposition coalition’s demands are driven by concerns over the electoral process, with memories of the 2010 post-election crisis that left over 3,000 people dead still fresh. The CAP-CI believes that a transparent and inclusive electoral process is essential to peace and democracy in Ivory Coast.
“We believe that a transparent and inclusive electoral process is essential to peace and democracy in Ivory Coast. Without it, the risk of unrest increases,” the coalition stated. A youth organizer aligned with the coalition added, “Democracy is not about exclusion—it’s about participation. We are organizing not just for our leaders, but for every Ivorian who believes in change through the ballot box”.
International Community’s Role
The international community, including the African Union and ECOWAS, has urged Ivory Coast’s government to maintain peace and uphold democratic principles in the lead-up to the 2025 vote. Some diplomatic voices have also called for a neutral audit of the electoral process.
As the countdown to October continues, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the presidential election can proceed under fair and inclusive terms. The formation of the CAP-CI and its early momentum suggest that opposition groups are seeking new, coordinated strategies to challenge the ruling establishment.