The president of the Pan-African Congress for Justice and Equality of Peoples (COJEP), Charles Blé Goudé, commended Ivorians for turning out to vote on Saturday, emphasizing that “the destiny of Côte d’Ivoire lies in the ballot box.”

Speaking to the press after Dr. Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, candidate of the Mouvement des Générations Capables (MGC), cast her vote at the Riviera Golf Primary School in Cocody, Blé Goudé congratulated citizens who had already gone to the polls. “The most important thing for me is the destiny of Côte d’Ivoire. I want to salute those who have come out to vote so far, even if the numbers are still modest,” he said.

He noted that some voters were likely taking their time to observe the situation before voting, commending their discipline and choice of the democratic path. “Change can happen but only through the ballot box,” he insisted.

The COJEP leader also warned against undemocratic actions and the risk of military intervention in politics. “When people take to the streets, it’s not them who seize power it’s the army. We’ve seen it in Madagascar. That path leads nowhere. I don’t want soldiers in power in Côte d’Ivoire; I want a civilian government,” he stressed.

Blé Goudé reaffirmed that all five candidates in the race including incumbent Alassane Ouattara (RHDP), independent Ahoua Don Mello, Jean-Louis Billon of the Democratic Congress (CODE), and the GP-PAIX coalition’s candidate have a fair chance at victory. “No election is ever won in advance,” he concluded.