In Côte d’Ivoire, presidential hopeful Vincent To Bi Irié has spoken out strongly against the country’s revised electoral requirements. During a press briefing in Abidjan, the former Abidjan prefect criticized the citizen sponsorship rule, which demands candidates collect signatures from at least 1% of registered voters across all 31 regions and two districts.

To Bi Irié claims the regulation is a deliberate barrier aimed at stifling political competition in the upcoming presidential race.

He urged authorities to rethink the provision, arguing that it undermines democratic participation and fair access to the ballot.