Voters in Ivory Coast lined up on Saturday, October 25, 2025, to cast ballots in a presidential election that has raised more questions than answers in the heart of West Africa, where more than 60% of the population is under 25.

The 83-year-old President of the nation, Alassane Ouattara, is at the centre of the controversy seeking a fourth term in office. Many, both domestically and abroad, have criticized his decision to run again, raising concerns about the democratic integrity of a system that still ignores the opinions of the opposition.

CNN reported that prominent politicians, such as former candidate Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, a former Credit Suisse executive, were prohibited from contesting. The legitimacy of the polls, which opened early Saturday morning with 8.7 million registered voters anticipated to cast ballots, has been seriously tarnished by their exclusion.

 
However, there is more to this election than just the numbers. It has to do with the gap between generations. For some, Ouattara is a symbol of stability and continuity, but for others, he represents a political elite that is unwilling to pass the torch. Protests, arrests, and mounting annoyance from young people who feel excluded from the future they are being asked to vote for have been witnessed in Abidjan's streets. 

 
Polling places opened relatively calmly in spite of the tension. Voters began to arrive, some resigning, some hopeful. A mixture of civic responsibility and subdued scepticism characterised the atmosphere.

Although Ivory Coast continues to be a major economic force in the region, the political climate is becoming more fragile. The true question as the votes are counted, is not simply who will win, but whether the nation's democratic foundations can withstand the pressures of exclusion, long-standing rivalries, and an uneasy youth.