In Ivory Coast, the opposition Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA) has accused supporters of the ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) of engaging in fraudulent activities ahead of the country’s legislative elections.
The PDCI-RDA claims that individuals presenting themselves as members of the RHDP have been collecting voters’ personal information, including names, phone numbers, voter card details, and polling station locations. According to the opposition party, the alleged data collection has been accompanied by promises of financial incentives of up to 300,000 CFA francs, as well as the distribution of motorcycles, in an effort to influence voters.
The ruling RHDP has so far declined to respond publicly to the allegations.
Ivory Coast’s Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) said it does not intervene in disputes between political parties and has advised anyone who believes they have been wronged to pursue the matter through legal channels. The commission emphasized that complaints should be addressed by the courts.
The PDCI-RDA has also expressed concern over the reported disappearance of more than 25,000 voter cards in the Port-Bouët constituency. However, the head of the CEI dismissed these claims, stating that the cards had been located, reissued, and would be available to voters on election day.
More than 8.7 million registered voters are expected to head to the polls on Saturday, December 27, to elect 255 members of parliament, in a vote seen as a key test of the country’s democratic process.
