The president of the Ivorian Popular Front and the Coalition for a Peaceful Alternation, Pascal Affi N’Guessan, has criticized the Ivorian government’s proposed electoral reforms, arguing that they fail to address the deep crisis of confidence surrounding the country’s electoral process.
Speaking at a press conference in Abidjan on June 25, Affi N’Guessan condemned a June 22 meeting at the Prime Minister’s office, where authorities announced plans to replace the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) with a new tripartite structure.
He described the meeting as a one-sided briefing rather than genuine dialogue, accusing the government of imposing decisions without meaningful consultation with political stakeholders.
Affi N’Guessan also challenged the government’s assessment of previous elections, noting what he called contradictions between acknowledging the deadly post-election crises of 2000, 2010, and 2020 while simultaneously praising the performance of the electoral system.
The former prime minister argued that the current electoral framework has suffered from political interference, exclusion of key opposition groups, and a lack of transparency.
He further questioned the effectiveness of the proposed new electoral architecture, warning that technical expertise alone cannot guarantee credible elections or lasting peace.
According to the opposition leader, only an inclusive and genuinely neutral electoral system can restore public trust and prevent future political tensions in Côte d’Ivoire.
