There is a great sense of joy and also relief in the Ivory Coast this evening as poles closed on this most historic presidential election. Eager to have their vote counted, many arrived early at polling stations across the country with early reports suggesting a turnout of 70%.
A positive sign of confidence in the legitimacy of this election, attendance today for this first round of elections was very high. Expats throughout Europe also turned out with mostly high attendance and voters were in good spirits with few incidents.
Only in France, LeParisien.fr reported that clashes in the country had led to the closure of 5 polling stations in Paris, Sevran, Aubervilliers, Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis) and Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine). Police also used tear gas to fend of voters in the city of Créteil. Ivorians were then denied access to polling stations, some traversing the country in order to have their vote counted. As a result, 18 of the 19 members of the independent Electoral Commission have called for the vote in France to be annulled.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Y. J. Choi said of the election today, « I congratulate Ivorians who have mastered their passion and emotion and have come out massively to exercise their civil right, peacefully and with discipline after having been patient for so long. »
By Sara Atteby
Despite the long-awaited announcement of an election date for 31 October, key issues remain unresolved. And while a younger generation Read more
