An ex-first lady, a tycoon and a 'safe pair of hands' vie for power in Ivory Coast

President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast is facing a presidential vote with four candidates vying for power, including former first lady Simone Gbagbo and tycoon Jean-Louis Billon. Ouattara's fourth-term bid has sparked concerns about democracy, despite being allowed by the constitution. Prominent opposition leader Tidjane Thiam was disqualified in April, while former President Laurent Gbagbo was barred due to a 2018 criminal conviction. The candidates are competing for votes from urban and rural areas, with Ouattara's opponents capitalizing on complaints about economic inequality. Billon has drawn crowds with his energetic campaign rallies, while Simone Gbagbo is positioning herself as a voice for the disaffected. The election takes place in a divided opposition landscape, with four candidates facing off against the 83-year-old incumbent.

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