The Ivorian government has adopted an ordinance amending Article 51 of the Electoral Code, along with a related ratification bill, just six months before the October 2025 presidential election.
The revised provision clarifies that presidential candidates must secure endorsements from 1% of the electorate in at least 50% of the country’s 31 regions and two autonomous districts—Abidjan and Yamoussoukro—excluding the 12 newly created districts.
This adjustment follows a proposal by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) aimed at preventing an expanded sponsorship requirement due to administrative restructuring.
Government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly stated that the amendment does not alter the law but clarifies its application, ensuring candidates are not burdened by the increase in districts from two to 14 since June 2021.
Under the clarification, candidates will still be required to gather endorsements from half of the officially recognized electoral areas, maintaining the original intent of the law while adapting to the country’s updated administrative framework.
