Two days after the announcement of the results confirming President Alassane Ouattara’s reelection for a fourth term, the two main opposition parties, which boycotted the vote, continue to reject the electoral process that led to his victory. Several of their senior members have received police summons. They are now calling for a major demonstration on November 8.

In Côte d’Ivoire, the African Peoples’ Party (PPA-CI), led by former President Laurent Gbagbo, has denounced what it calls an “electoral hold-up” and has urged supporters to gather for a large march in Abidjan on November 8. However, all demonstrations by political parties that did not participate in the election have been banned until mid-December.

Earlier this week, around twenty senior officials from the PPA-CI and the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), led by Tidjane Thiam, were summoned by the criminal police for reasons that remain unclear. These summonses were later suspended.

The public prosecutor has repeatedly referred to alleged calls for insurrection and acts that could be classified as terrorism in connection with violent incidents during the electoral process, which resulted in at least ten deaths. The opposition, meanwhile, denounces what it describes as “judicial persecution.”

“The strategy, clearly visible, is to prevent members of the united opposition front — particularly outgoing deputies or any influential figures within the coalition — from running in the upcoming legislative elections by placing them under judicial control,”
— Jean-Gervais Tchéidé, Secretary-General of the PPA-CI

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Council has opened the period for filing complaints. The five presidential candidates have until Monday evening to submit any appeals. The Council will then have one week to review the claims and announce the final results.