Côte d’Ivoire’s government has dissolved the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) following years of opposition complaints over its purported lack of independence and mismanagement of national polls. Government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly said the move is meant to rebuild public trust and create a new electoral framework capable of delivering “peaceful polls.” It grants President Alassane Ouattara and the ruling party a pretext to shape the replacement body in their image. However, if the reforms produce a more balanced system, it will strengthen the West African country’s electoral system and, by extension, its democracy. The decision carries major long-term implications because disputed elections in Côte d’Ivoire, including the deadly 2010 crisis, have previously triggered violence and instability.
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