Ivorians Head to the Polls as ECOWAS–AU Joint Mission Monitors 2025 Presidential Election.
By Raymond Enoch
A Joint ECOWAS–African Union Election Observation Mission led by His Excellency Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President of Nigeria, began its nationwide monitoring tour early this morning across key polling centers in Cocody, Abobo, and Koumassi in Abidjan, as Ivorians turned out in large numbers to vote for their next president. The high-level delegation, comprising senior officials from both ECOWAS and the African Union, is overseeing the opening phase of one of the most closely watched elections in the country’s democratic history.
An estimated 8.7 million registered voters are taking part in today’s poll to elect a President of the Republic for a five-year term. The ballot features five candidates approved by the Constitutional Council: incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, Madame Simone Éhivet Gbagbo, Mr. Jean-Louis Billon, Mr. Ahoua Don Mello, and Madame Henriette Lagou Adjoua. If no candidate secures an outright majority, a runoff vote will follow in the coming weeks.
The ECOWAS–AU delegation includes Mr. Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Head of Delegation of the African Union; Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political and Peace Affairs; Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; and Ambassador Fanta Cissé, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, among other regional figures. Their mission, according to organizers, is to ensure that the process upholds international standards of transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness.
Prof. Osinbajo, speaking after visits to several polling stations in Abidjan, commended the orderly start of voting and the professionalism of election officials. “The people of Côte d’Ivoire deserve a credible process that truly reflects their will,” he said. “The presence of ECOWAS and the African Union here today symbolizes our shared commitment to democracy and peace in the region.”
Voting began at 8:00 a.m. local time, with calm and orderly scenes reported in most polling centers. Security forces have been deployed nationwide to maintain peace, while local and international observers are monitoring operations to guarantee integrity in the vote count.
The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) is expected to release preliminary results in the coming days. For many Ivorians, today’s election represents both a civic duty and a moment of hope — a chance to strengthen democracy and reinforce national unity after years of political division
