The Mouvement des Générations Capables (MGC), a prominent opposition party led by former First Lady Dr. Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, has raised concerns over the absence of a key electoral decree ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s legislative elections scheduled for December 27, 2025.
In a strongly worded communiqué issued Tuesday, the MGC criticized the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and the Ivorian government for failing to publish Decree No. 2025-656, dated July 30, 2025, which officially convenes the electoral colleges. Although the CEI has acknowledged the decree’s existence, the party claims the document remains inaccessible through all official channels, including the CEI’s website, government portals, and the Republic’s Official Gazette.
Transparency Concerns
“The absence of publication constitutes a serious violation of the principle of electoral transparency and the right to public information, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the laws of the Republic,” the communiqué stated.
The MGC emphasized that public access to such legal instruments is essential for the legitimacy of the electoral process, citing Article 20 of the Electoral Code. The party warned that without transparency, public trust in electoral institutions could be undermined.
Demands and Legal Threat
The party urged the CEI to release the full text of the decree without delay.
It called on the government to ensure all election-related legal acts are made publicly available in accordance with democratic norms.
The communiqué concluded with a warning that the party would pursue legal action if the decree is not published promptly, stating its intent to “initiate all legal avenues necessary to obtain the official text and enforce republican legality.”
Political Context
The controversy comes amid heightened political activity, with the deadline for legislative candidacy submissions set for November 12, 2025. Dr. Gbagbo, who has declared her candidacy for the 2025 presidential election, has positioned her party as a vocal watchdog over the integrity of national polls.
While reaffirming its commitment to peace and stability, the MGC stressed that these values depend on a “rigorous, transparent institutional framework” that upholds citizens’ rights.
