On Saturday, Ivory Coast Abidjan region held a fair and peaceful parliamentary poll to secure its national assembly members. Over 1500 candidates from different parties had vied for the seat seeking membership of the 255 seat National Assembly.
The successful parliamentary poll was preceded by civilians eagerly waiting for the electoral commission to release the results. Though there is anxiety, Ivorians are looking forward to a Peaceful release and growth of their state.
The Elections
The polls took place months after President Alassane won a third term in conflicted elections. Mr. Alassane’s win had sparked escalating tensions and unrest since many, more so the opposition was not contented by his lead. They had alleged that Mr. Alassane had engaged in election malpractice. At least eighty-five people had succumbed, and a hundred died amid protests to dismiss Alassane’s win.
The likes of Henri Konan Bedie were front liners in boycotting Alassane’s victory. Nonetheless, before the parliamentary elections, Bedie and Gbagbo decided to become allies to limit Alassane’s power. The two opposition members fielded parliamentary candidates on a joint list. They hope that President Alassane won’t have much sovereignty in the national assembly once the results are out.
A total of 22000 polling stations had been operational for the parliamentary elections. The process went on for several hours before coming to a halt around 6 pm. The calm atmosphere was evidence of a successful day. The Electoral Commission made it clear to announce the results come Sunday. Also, the parliamentary candidates pledged to support peaceful elections as they signed a code of conduct.
Why Vote?
According to sources, the voter turnout was massive. People want to change; they are tired of surviving, living from hand to mouth. Micheline Irielou, a 43-year-old, remarked on how much they were sufferings. Food and water topping the list of scarcity. They needed their lives to improve.
Alassane and Peace.
Amid the elections, Mr. Quatarra called on the Ivorians to stay calm and composed, hoping that the 2010 and 2020 post-election violence were a thing of the past. He urged people to stand united for the sake of stabilizing their country for prosperity.
Meanwhile, Bedie, a leader of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast, urged the electoral commission to ensure no cheating. He left those remarks after casting his vote in the same polling station as President Quattara. At some point, Bendi and Alassane were rivals. Bedie had backed Alassane for several years until 2018, when they split ways. Former President Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front party members are also happy to participate in the national elections. Since 2011 when Gbagbo was ousted and sent to the International Criminal Court under multiple charges, the party has been inactive.
Alfred Balli told Reuters how happy he was to vote in Yapougoun, Gbagbo’s stronghold in Abidjan. It happens that the FPI is finally making a comeback after ten years of inactivity. The FPI flag-bearer seems to have unsettled differences with President Alassane. The latter, however, has been endorsing peace in the country, especially as Gbagbo is soon to return.
MORE:
