Tensions surrounding Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral governance continue to escalate following the dissolution of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). On May 14, 2026, the Platform of 37 Organizations, NGOs, associations, and Ivorian civil society movements (PEC-CI) outlined its concerns and proposals during a press conference in Abidjan.

The PEC-CI, led by its president Ebrin Yao Rémi, has called on authorities to initiate direct and inclusive political dialogue with key opposition figures, including Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam. The platform argues that such engagement is vital to easing political tensions and fostering consensus on a fair electoral framework.

The PEC-CI emphasizes that the nation’s stability hinges on the ability of political forces to engage in open dialogue, prioritizing the greater good amid persistent disagreements over election organization.

Institutional reforms proposed by the platform include a complete overhaul of the electoral system. The PEC-CI advocates for a new electoral body entirely composed of civil society representatives, excluding direct participation from political parties. This institution, they argue, should be formed through an open call for applications to ensure competence, independence, and transparency among its members.

The platform further recommends that the new body be granted an autonomous budget, approved by the National Assembly, to strengthen its financial and institutional independence. This proposal comes amid growing mistrust between political actors and electoral institutions. The PEC-CI criticizes the current CEI’s performance, citing past elections marred by violence, disputed results, and loss of life as evidence of the system’s inadequacies.

While acknowledging that the former CEI was a product of political compromises, the platform laments its dissolution without prior consultation with the opposition and key civil society actors. They warn that this lack of engagement could further destabilize the political climate ahead of upcoming elections.

Key Demands for Electoral Reform

• A new electoral body exclusively composed of civil society members, selected through a transparent process.
• An autonomous budget for the electoral body, ensuring financial independence.
• Direct and inclusive political dialogue to restore trust among institutions, political actors, and citizens.

The PEC-CI concludes by stressing the urgent need for a deep and consensual reform of Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral system to rebuild confidence in the democratic process.