Dare to change': Ivory Coast heads to the polls as rivals seek to oust Ouattara

"Alassane Ouattara is seeking a fourth presidential term as Ivory Coast goes to the polls on Saturday, after a campaign in which he touted economic growth while facing accusations that he has overseen a growing intolerance towards dissent. An estimated 8.7 million people are eligible to vote. Four candidates are challenging the incumbent, including the former first lady Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and a trio of former ministers: Henriette Lagou Adjoua, Ahoua Don Mello and Jean-Louis Billon."

"Two leading opposition figures Ouattara's predecessor Laurent Gbagbo and the former banker Tidjane Thiam have been disqualified from the race. Both have accused Ouattara of eroding democratic institutions and failing to provide equitable growth. The 83-year-old, seen as the favourite by bookmakers and analysts, has twice coasted to re-election victories and overseen constitutional reforms that allowed him to sidestep a two-term limit. His rivals say he is past his peak and is clinging to power for the sake of it."

Alassane Ouattara is running for a fourth presidential term as about 8.7 million Ivorians are eligible to vote. Four challengers include former first lady Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and former ministers Henriette Lagou Adjoua, Ahoua Don Mello and Jean-Louis Billon. Two prominent opposition figures, Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, have been disqualified. Critics accuse Ouattara of eroding democratic institutions and using constitutional reforms to sidestep term limits. The 83-year-old points to sustained economic growth while opponents cite rising intolerance of dissent, rural-urban inequality, youth unemployment, cost-of-living pressures, forced displacement and climate impacts on cocoa farming.

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