Ivory Coast Candidate Billon Concedes Defeat as Partial Results Favour Alassane Ouattara
The opposition candidate Jean-Louis Billon has thrown in the towel, conceding defeat to incumbent President Alassane Ouattara in the Ivory Coast's presidential election. According to partial results announced by the country's Independent Electoral Commission on Sunday, Ouattara is leading with a strong margin nationwide.
Billon, who was one of four opposition candidates running against Ouattara, acknowledged that the initial results place the incumbent president in the lead, designating him as the winner of the election. The 83-year-old Ouattara, former International Monetary Fund executive, is seeking a fourth term in office.
The partial results from 20 departments or divisions were announced on national television, with 10 or 11 more districts yet to be released. The commission's president, Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert, earlier put the voter turnout at around 50 percent. Polling stations in historically pro-opposition areas were nearly empty, while those in Ouattara's strongholds in the north were filled with voters.
The election was marked by a divided opposition and the barring of two leading candidates, former President Laurent Gbagbo and Thidjane Thiam, who led the PDCI party. The opposition was further weakened when Thiam was barred from standing due to acquiring French citizenship.
With key contenders out of the race, Ouattara was the overwhelming favourite, reminiscent of his 2020 election victory where he secured 94 percent of the ballots with a turnout slightly above 50 percent. The streets of Abidjan remained quiet and calm, apart from scattered violence in other parts of the country that resulted in two deaths.
The outcome of the election will determine whether or not the streets remain calm, as Ivorians watch closely to see what happens next. Security patrols are deployed across the country, with at least 44,000 personnel on standby in case trouble breaks out.
The opposition candidate Jean-Louis Billon has thrown in the towel, conceding defeat to incumbent President Alassane Ouattara in the Ivory Coast's presidential election. According to partial results announced by the country's Independent Electoral Commission on Sunday, Ouattara is leading with a strong margin nationwide.
Billon, who was one of four opposition candidates running against Ouattara, acknowledged that the initial results place the incumbent president in the lead, designating him as the winner of the election. The 83-year-old Ouattara, former International Monetary Fund executive, is seeking a fourth term in office.
The partial results from 20 departments or divisions were announced on national television, with 10 or 11 more districts yet to be released. The commission's president, Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert, earlier put the voter turnout at around 50 percent. Polling stations in historically pro-opposition areas were nearly empty, while those in Ouattara's strongholds in the north were filled with voters.
The election was marked by a divided opposition and the barring of two leading candidates, former President Laurent Gbagbo and Thidjane Thiam, who led the PDCI party. The opposition was further weakened when Thiam was barred from standing due to acquiring French citizenship.
With key contenders out of the race, Ouattara was the overwhelming favourite, reminiscent of his 2020 election victory where he secured 94 percent of the ballots with a turnout slightly above 50 percent. The streets of Abidjan remained quiet and calm, apart from scattered violence in other parts of the country that resulted in two deaths.
The outcome of the election will determine whether or not the streets remain calm, as Ivorians watch closely to see what happens next. Security patrols are deployed across the country, with at least 44,000 personnel on standby in case trouble breaks out.
...I mean, it's not like he's been the only one trying to improve the country or anything. It's just so predictable when you look at the opposition - a bunch of scattered votes in certain areas and nearly empty polling stations? Yeah, no surprise there 
. And who needs voting rights if people aren't even showing up, right? 
. Another incumbent President getting re-elected by default because of a divided opposition and some shady election rules 
. I mean, what's up with them not releasing the full results until now? Sounds like they're trying to sweep everything under the rug 
. And poor Billon, he just threw in the towel without even giving it a chance 
. Can't wait to see how the streets turn out... or don't turn out 
. More security patrols? Great, because what we really need is more militarization 
. Just another democratic victory for the books 
.
ugh I'm so disappointed in Billon he had such a good chance of beating Ouattara and now its all over 
I mean what can you do when u got like 50% voter turnout lol the opposition just got smashed 
and its not like there was even any real competition against Ouattara he's like a total dictator or something 
i dont think anyone really liked him but whoever won gets my vote 
anyway i guess the streets are gonna stay calm for now but we all know that wont last forever 
. I mean, have you tried it? It's like a game changer. The combination of creamy avocado and crispy bread is just perfect. I swear, every time I go there, I'm like in a happy food coma 
. And you know what's even better? They have this awesome outdoor seating area with plants and everything! 
It's so chill, I forget all about the world outside. Maybe we should plan a meetup there soon and discuss politics... just kidding sorta 
.
So I think its pretty safe to say Ouattara's gonna be in for another term and that's a bit of a shame cuz Imo Ouattara's been in office since like 2011 already, thats 14 yrs... 
He's definitely got the experience tho and all but you'd think there might be some other voices represented in the government.
. The voter turnout is also pretty low, which isn't great for a healthy democracy.
. I'm not gonna lie, it's kinda sad when the opposition can't really compete 
. Maybe this is an opportunity for Billon to regroup and try again in 2026? 
. Still, 44k security personnel on standby? That doesn't feel like "calm" to me 
. Either way, Ivory Coast's got a new president and we'll have to wait & see how he'll handle things... will it be more of the same? 
. Ouattara has been in power for like 15 years already and its time for some change. I mean, 50% voter turnout is pretty low, especially considering how divided the opposition was. And lets not forget, Thiam was barred from running because of French citizenship - that's some shady stuff 
.
...and why not? The opposition was super divided and then some key players got barred from running 
