Abidjan – A prominent political coalition, the Groupement Alliance des Ivoiriens pour la démocratie (AID) and the Union des masses populaires pour la paix (UMPP), recently lauded the Ivorian government’s decision to initiate a comprehensive reform of electoral governance. Speaking in Abidjan, the alliance emphasized that this move demonstrates the administration’s readiness to address the concerns raised by various political stakeholders and civil society organizations across Côte d’Ivoire.

During a press statement delivered by spokesperson Zadi Djédjé, the coalition conveyed its profound satisfaction following an informational gathering held on June 22 at the Primature. This crucial meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, focused specifically on the restructuring of the nation’s election management body.

According to the AID-UMPP, the dissolution of the Commission électorale indépendante (CEI), whose members’ terms had concluded, alongside the announcement of a refreshed framework for electoral governance, directly responds to demands articulated over several years by political parties and numerous civil society groups.

The alliance believes that this significant reform ushers in a new era for election management within Côte d’Ivoire. Its primary goals include enhancing the transparency of the electoral process, rebuilding trust among political actors, and proactively preventing potential pre- and post-election crises.

Furthermore, the coalition acknowledged the achievements of the former CEI while expressing strong approval for the government’s intention to establish a new system comprising three distinct entities. These bodies will be responsible, respectively, for the logistical organization of elections, the tabulation of votes, and the overarching supervision of the entire electoral procedure.

The AID-UMPP asserts that this reform is anchored in principles of professionalization, impartiality, transparency, and effectiveness. These foundational elements are deemed crucial for ensuring long-term institutional stability and bolstering the credibility of future polls in Côte d’Ivoire.

The political grouping also extended an invitation to all relevant parties – including political organizations, civil society groups, community leaders, and every participant in the electoral process – to actively support the implementation of these reforms. This collective effort, they urged, should be undertaken in a spirit of responsibility, patriotism, and constructive dialogue.

While encouraging the government to persist in its endeavors to foster stability and national cohesion, the AID-UMPP called upon political stakeholders to place their confidence in the Republic’s institutions. Respect for these institutions, the alliance stressed, remains paramount for solidifying democracy and safeguarding peace throughout Côte d’Ivoire.