Ivory Coast Vote Begins, Incumbent Leader Seems Sure to Win

Supporters of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara before his closing campaign rally in Abidjan.Photographer: Sia Kambou/AFP/Getty Images

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By Kamailoudini Tagba and Moses Mozart Dzawu

October 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM UTC

Updated on

October 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM UTC

Ivory Coast elections got under way on Saturday after months of tension over President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term and his main rivals’ exclusion from the race.

Voting began in Abidjan, the commercial hub, and other towns at 8 a.m. local time. More than 8.7 million people registered to cast ballots.