In a collective effort to enhance electoral governance in Côte d'Ivoire, over 2,000 civil society organizations, under the Synergie des OSC, have developed a white paper and technical dossier. These documents were presented to the press on October 28, 2026, in Abidjan-Cocody. The initiative follows the dissolution of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) on May 6, 2026, and aims to address issues observed during the 2025 presidential and legislative elections.
The white paper and technical dossier propose institutional, legal, and operational responses to improve electoral governance. The documents emphasize the need for a clear definition of responsibilities, enhanced impartiality in electoral decisions, and accessible guarantees for citizens. The Synergie des OSC represents approximately 1,780 civil society organizations and has engaged in various dialogues with stakeholders, including national institutions.
One of the key proposals is the establishment of an electoral body with three complementary functions: regulatory and decision-making, technical management of the electoral register, and civic and electoral education. The Commission électorale d'experts (CEE) would be responsible for regulatory and decision-making functions, while the Département général du fichier électoral (DGFE) would manage the electoral register, and the Département général de l'éducation civique et électorale (DGECE) would oversee civic and electoral education.
The Synergie des OSC recommends that the CEE comprise nine expert commissioners who would serve in their personal capacity, not as representatives of their proposing organizations. The commissioners would be selected based on criteria of competence, integrity, and independence. The proposal also emphasizes the need for clear rules on the designation, term, and renewal of commissioners to ensure the institution's independence and continuity.
The quality of the electoral register is considered crucial for credible elections. The Synergie des OSC suggests distinguishing three functions: administrative identification of individuals, verification and reconciliation of information, and management of decisions related to electoral status. The technical dossier proposes that existing registers and proposed devices be clearly defined by law, including competencies, data exchanges, and protection guarantees.
The Synergie des OSC also emphasizes the importance of transparency in electoral processes, including the authentication, secure storage, and traceability of electoral documents. The proposal suggests that these documents be published, bureau de vote par bureau de vote, and that access to useful documents be provided to enable verification of results without compromising confidential information.
The Synergie des OSC takes note of consultations conducted by authorities and the participation of other civil society organizations in these exchanges. However, they stress that a useful consultation should consider the interest of all stakeholders and ensure that the proposed reforms are open, documented, and attentive to the general interest.
Key points
- The Synergie des OSC represents approximately 1,780 civil society organizations.
- The proposal includes the establishment of a Commission électorale d'experts (CEE) with nine expert commissioners.
- The quality of the electoral register is considered crucial for credible elections.
