Abidjan, December 30, 2025 – President Alassane Ouattara's ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) has achieved a resounding victory in Ivory Coast's parliamentary elections held on December 27, securing 197 out of the 255 seats in the National Assembly, according to provisional results announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) on Monday.
The landslide win strengthens Ouattara's grip on power just two months after his re-election in the October 2025 presidential poll, where he captured over 90% of the vote amid opposition boycotts and disqualifications. The RHDP's dominance in the legislature provides the 83-year-old leader with a supermajority to advance economic reforms, infrastructure projects, and investment attraction in West Africa's largest economy.
Out of approximately 8.5 million registered voters, turnout was recorded at 35.04%, a slight decline from previous legislative elections and reflecting voter apathy exacerbated by opposition calls for boycott and dissatisfaction with the political process. The main opposition Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire–African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), led by former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, managed to win 32 seats, retaining its position as the primary opposition force despite setbacks in several constituencies.
Independent candidates performed notably well, capturing 23 seats across 22 constituencies, highlighting growing disillusionment with established parties and a preference for local figures unaligned with major blocs. Smaller parties, such as The Ox – Victory for Development, secured one seat each, contributing to a fragmented but RHDP-dominated opposition landscape.
The African Peoples' Party – Côte d'Ivoire (PPA-CI), founded by former President Laurent Gbagbo, fully boycotted the elections, citing unmet conditions for free, fair, and credible polls following Gbagbo's disqualification from the presidential race due to a prior criminal conviction related to post-2010 election violence. The boycott contributed to the low turnout and underscored lingering divisions from the country's turbulent political history, including the 2010-2011 crisis that claimed thousands of lives.
The CEI reported isolated incidents of violence, particularly in the Marcory commune constituency in Abidjan, where acts of unrest led to the destruction of ballot boxes at five polling stations. However, commission officials stated that these events did not compromise the overall integrity or sincerity of the vote.
In line with the electoral code, candidates and parties have five days from the announcement of provisional results to file complaints. These will be reviewed by the Constitutional Council, which is expected to proclaim the final results in the coming days after adjudicating any disputes.
Polling day itself was marked by challenges, including heavy rains in Abidjan that delayed opening in some stations and contributed to sparse queues. Despite the deployment of over 40,000 security personnel—maintained from the presidential election—no widespread violence was reported, though scuffles occurred in certain areas.
President Ouattara cast his ballot in Cocody, Abidjan, urging citizens to participate in consolidating democracy. The RHDP, the only major party to field candidates in all constituencies, capitalized on its organizational strength and the fragmented opposition to expand its previous majority significantly.
The PDCI-RDA had accused RHDP supporters of pre-election irregularities, including alleged vote-buying through cash payments and motorcycle distributions in exchange for voter data. These claims were not substantiated in the CEI's provisional assessment but may form the basis of post-election challenges.
Analysts view the results as cementing Ouattara's legacy while raising concerns about democratic backsliding in a country that has enjoyed relative stability and economic growth since the 2011 crisis. Ivory Coast, a major cocoa producer and regional hub, has seen GDP growth averaging over 6% annually in recent years, but political inclusivity remains a point of contention.
With a commanding legislative majority, the RHDP can now push forward ambitious agendas, including infrastructure development under the National Development Plan and preparations for hosting major events. However, the low turnout and boycott signal ongoing challenges in reconciling political factions and rebuilding trust in institutions.
As complaints are processed, attention turns to the Constitutional Council's role in validating the outcome. The new National Assembly, once seated, will elect its president and set the tone for governance in Ouattara's latest term.
This election reinforces the RHDP's dominance but also highlights the need for broader political dialogue to address grievances and prevent future instability in Côte d'Ivoire.
