‘People look very eager to cast their ballot’ after a tumultous build-up to the election

Polls opened in the Ivory Coast on Saturday to elect a new leader as longtime President Alassane Ouattara seeks a fourth term after key contenders were barred from contesting. Reporting from the densely populated neighbourhood of Treichville, FRANCE 24 Journalist Justice Baidoo said “people look very eager to cast their ballot”, with some arriving as early as 6am. Leading up to the election, some 700 people had been arrested during several protests across the country, said Baidoo.