Abidjan — Political forces in Côte d’Ivoire have hailed the government’s move to reform the country’s electoral governance, calling it a sign of responsiveness to long-standing concerns raised by political parties and civil society organizations.

A coalition of two prominent groups, Alliance des Ivoiriens pour la démocratie (AID) and Union des masses populaires pour la paix (UMPP), conveyed its approval during a press briefing on June 30, 2026. The event followed an earlier information session held on June 22 at the Prime Minister’s office, led by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, focused entirely on electoral body reform.

The coalition emphasized that the decision to dissolve the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), whose members’ terms had expired, and the introduction of a new electoral governance structure mark a significant step toward addressing demands made over the years by political stakeholders and civil society.

In their statement, the AID-UMPP group described the reform as a « turning point » in Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral process. The initiative is designed to enhance transparency, rebuild trust among political actors, and help prevent pre- and post-election disputes. The coalition also acknowledged the past contributions of the CEI while welcoming the government’s plan to establish three separate bodies: one for logistical election management, another for vote counting, and a third for overall electoral oversight.

The reform is built on core principles of professionalism, neutrality, transparency, and efficiency, the coalition noted. These values are expected to strengthen institutional stability and reinforce public confidence in the electoral system. AID-UMPP further urged all political parties, civil society organizations, community leaders, and electoral stakeholders to support the reform’s implementation with a sense of responsibility, patriotism, and constructive dialogue.

The coalition concluded by urging continued government efforts to promote national cohesion and stability. It also called on political leaders to place their trust in the country’s institutions, emphasizing that respect for these institutions is vital for deepening democracy and maintaining peace in Côte d’Ivoire.