A total of 44,000 members of the Defense and Security Forces have been deployed across Côte d’Ivoire to secure the presidential election scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025.

The security operation, code-named “Espérance” (Hope), includes 18,000 police officers, 18,000 gendarmes, and approximately 8,000 soldiers stationed in both major cities and rural areas to allow citizens to cast their votes in a calm and safe environment.

According to the National Security Council (CNS), this measure aims to ensure that all citizens can fulfill their civic duty in complete safety and to “guarantee a secure and peaceful election.” 

Five candidates are competing in this year’s presidential race: incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, Jean-Louis Billon, Ahoua Don Mello, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, and Henriette Lagou.