May 14, 2026

Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral reform: charting a new path after CEI dissolution

General view of the Ivorian National Assembly during South African President Thabo Mbeki's speech 04 December 2004 in Abidjan. Mbeki started new peace talks with various Ivory Coast groups Saturday, as European Union delegates urged all parties to find a peaceful solution to the two-year crisis wracking the divided west African nation. AFP PHOTO- KAMPBEL

A significant transition is underway in Côte d’Ivoire. The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), which oversaw the nation’s elections for a quarter-century, has officially been dissolved. This pivotal development marks the end of an institution often at the heart of political contention. Observers are now assessing the CEI’s long-standing legacy and debating the crucial characteristics required for a successor body to ensure truly peaceful and credible elections in the future.

Une vue générale de l'Assemblée nationale Ivoirienne.