Incumbent leader, 83, is accused of cracking down on political dissent and overseeing unequal economic growth
A
lassane Ouattara is seeking a fourth presidential term as Ivory Coast goes to the polls on Saturday, after a campaign in which he touted economic growth while facing accusations that he has overseen a growing intolerance towards dissent.
An estimated 8.7 million people are eligible to vote. Four candidates are challenging the incumbent, including the former first lady Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and a trio of former ministers: Henriette Lagou Adjoua, Ahoua Don Mello and Jean-Louis Billon.
Two leading opposition figures – Ouattara’s predecessor Laurent Gbagbo and the former banker Tidjane Thiam – have been disqualified from the race. Both have accused Ouattara of eroding democratic institutions and failing to provide equitable growth.
