In his New Year’s speech, the Ivorian president promised a new Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the 2020 presidential election.
President Ouattara had already promised this reform in August but the October local elections were organized by the same IEC. “The new composition of the IEC (…) will be effective for the elections of 2020,” said Ouattara, adding that he had asked the Prime Minister “to invite in January 2019 officials of the political parties to join the government in the review of the composition of the CIS”.
The Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire (PDCI), the party of former President Henri Konan Bédié, the two tendencies of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) of former President Laurent Gbagbo and civil society have been demanding this reform for months.
“I urge all actors, including civil society, to participate, and I hope that the exchanges and contributions will be done in accordance with our tradition of dialogue, openness and respect, in order to build confidence in this vital part of the process. election,” he said.
