**Côte d’Ivoire: The quest for a peaceful presidential election in 2025 under the critical gaze of lawyers**
The path to the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire, scheduled for October 25, 2025, is taking shape in a context where past experiences marked by political tensions still resonate in memories. During a recent meeting with the Bar Association in Abidjan, Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert, President of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), attempted to reassure about the transparency and serenity of the upcoming election. However, his speech also highlighted persistent questions regarding the composition and functioning of this electoral body.
**A promise of transparency**
The President of the CEI affirmed that the institution he heads is ready to take up the challenge of organizing elections in a climate of peace, while insisting on the need for collaboration between all stakeholders. This proactive approach appears to be part of a desire to restore trust in a CEI that has often been perceived as a partisan actor in previous elections. The CEI President outlined several mechanisms to ensure the transparency and integrity of the electoral process. He discussed practical mechanisms to inform and involve citizens, which are crucial to strengthening popular support for the election.
**Concerns about representativeness**
Despite these promises, the meeting quickly highlighted doubts about the composition of the CEI. Many lawyers, represented in particular by Linda Dadgé Sangaré, stressed that the current composition of the Commission is perceived as unbalanced. These concerns are not unfounded; they are based on a statistical analysis of previous elections in Côte d’Ivoire, where challenges to the integrity of the CEI have often led to legal action and social tensions.
The criticism of the composition of the CEI underlines the crucial importance of balanced representation in electoral bodies. Compared to the model of neighboring countries that have succeeded in setting up more inclusive and representative electoral commissions, it becomes clear that reforms are necessary. In Africa, examples such as Ghana show that a well-balanced CEI can reduce electoral conflicts and promote the legitimacy of elections.
**The future of citizen participation**
The inclusion of citizens in the electoral process is a major challenge in the Ivorian context. While Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert calls for the involvement of all stakeholders, it remains to be seen how he intends to translate this desire into concrete actions. The next step, with the publication of the provisional electoral list in March, will be crucial to strengthen this dynamic. In previous elections in Côte d’Ivoire, many voters, especially from rural areas, were excluded by poor management of the electoral rolls.
An innovative solution could draw on technological resources, such as e-voting or mobile applications for verifying electoral rolls, already in use in some modern democracies. This could provide greater accessibility and transparency in the electoral process, while reducing potential fraud.
**Conclusion: A call for collective commitment**
Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert’s speech raises new questions about the political future of Côte d’Ivoire as we approach 2025. Ensuring peace and transparency in elections cannot be limited to verbal promises. It requires a collective commitment from all actors in civil society, political parties and institutions. The quality of debates and discussions in meetings such as the one of the Bar Association of the Order of Lawyers can be a first step towards better mutual understanding and a fruitful compromise.
If the current trend persists and reluctance remains, Côte d’Ivoire could well find itself in a spiral of mistrust, which must be avoided at all costs to ensure not only the legitimacy of the institutions, but also social peace. All eyes are now on the next strategic advances of the CEI and how it intends to navigate between the high expectations and the persistent doubts of Ivorians. The responsibility to build a serene future lies with each of us, during this crucial election that is looming on the horizon.