On 24 and 25 September 2026, KAS, in partnership with CERAP, organised a symposium in Abidjan dedicated to electoral governance reform in Côte d’Ivoire. The event brought together political actors, civil society representatives, researchers, electoral experts and students to reflect on possible developments of the country’s electoral governance system.
The programme began with a keynote lecture by Professor Henri Bah entitled “Electoral Governance and Democratic Consolidation in Côte d’Ivoire: Challenges and Prospects for Institutional Reform”. His presentation provided the overall framework for the discussions, highlighting key challenges related to electoral governance and the importance of public trust in the democratic process.
The first day continued with several panel discussions addressing key aspects of electoral reform. Discussions focused in particular on the conditions required to establish an electoral governance model capable of ensuring the independence, credibility and effectiveness of electoral institutions. Participants also examined ways of strengthening trust between political actors, electoral bodies and citizens, a prerequisite for the legitimacy of the electoral process.
Particular attention was also given to the political participation of women and young people. Discussions explored the obstacles that continue to limit their representation in decision-making bodies, as well as measures that could foster more inclusive participation in political and public life.
The second day was devoted to thematic working groups that allowed for more in-depth and interactive exchanges. Participants examined several dimensions of the ongoing reform process, including the composition and appointment procedures of the future electoral management body, the guarantees necessary to ensure its independence, the quality of the electoral register and mechanisms for preventing and resolving electoral disputes. Participants also emphasized the importance of civic education in strengthening citizen participation and trust in democratic institutions.
The workshops enabled stakeholders to compare their analyses and experiences while formulating concrete recommendations to support reflections on electoral governance reform in Côte d’Ivoire. Discussions highlighted areas of convergence while also illustrating the diversity of perspectives and expectations among the actors involved in the reform process.
The symposium also benefited from contributions by several experts and public figures, including Gilles Yabi, Executive Director of the West Africa Think Tank (WATHI); Éric Semien, President of the Ivorian Human Rights Observatory (OIDH); Dr Arsène Nene Bi, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Côte d’Ivoire; and Dr Koffi Marius N’Dri, Inspector of Parliamentary Services. Representatives of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire-African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the African Peoples’ Party-Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), the Democratic Alternative in Côte d’Ivoire (ADCI), the High Electoral Council (HCE), the Association of Women Lawyers, the Centre AHOU and the National Youth Council of Côte d’Ivoire (CNJCI) also participated in the discussions.
The symposium was officially closed by Arsène B. Bado, Director of CERAP, and Dr Stefanie Brinkel, Director of KAS’s Regional Programme “Political Dialogue in West Africa”, who commended the quality of the discussions and the commitment shown by participants throughout the event.
Through this initiative, KAS and CERAP sought to provide a pluralistic platform for dialogue on the future of electoral governance in Côte d’Ivoire. As the country continues its reflections on future institutional reforms, the analyses and recommendations developed during the symposium represent a contribution to ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening confidence in the electoral process and consolidating the country’s democratic achievements.