Ivory Coast’s Ruling Party Strengthens Grip with Landslide Parliamentary Win

Ivory Coast’s ruling RHDP party won 197 of 255 parliamentary seats, solidifying its majority just two months after President Alassane Ouattara’s fourth-term re-election. Voter turnout was low at 35 percent. The opposition suffered major losses, with the PDCI halving its seats and Laurent Gbagbo’s party losing all representation, raising concerns over reduced political space and weakened democratic checks.

Ivory Coast’s ruling party, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), has significantly strengthened its grip on power, securing nearly three-quarters of seats in the parliamentary elections held on Saturday, according to final results released by the Independent Electoral Commission. The RHDP won 197 out of 255 seats, representing approximately 77 percent of the National Assembly, marking an expansion of its majority just two months after President Alassane Ouattara was controversially re-elected for a fourth term.
Voter turnout remained low at around 35 percent, reflecting a continuing trend of declining participation in the country’s elections. The ruling party maintained a stronghold in the northern regions, in some cases winning all available seats, while also making notable gains in southern and western areas that have traditionally supported opposition parties. Election authorities reported that the vote was largely peaceful, with only isolated incidents that did not affect the overall outcome.
The opposition faced significant setbacks. The Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) saw its parliamentary representation cut in half, while the party of former President Laurent Gbagbo, which had called for a boycott of the elections, failed to secure any seats. The results leave President Ouattara with control over most key institutions in the country, which supporters argue will contribute to political stability and allow for the continuation of government programs.
However, critics have expressed concern over the implications of such a dominant victory for the ruling party. They warn that the concentration of power may further reduce the political space for opposition voices, weaken democratic checks and balances, and raise questions about the inclusiveness of the political process in Ivory Coast. Observers also note that the low voter turnout could indicate growing public disengagement and skepticism toward the electoral process.
Overall, the parliamentary elections reinforce the RHDP’s political dominance in Ivory Coast, consolidating President Ouattara’s influence while highlighting ongoing debates over democracy, representation, and political competition in the country.