Ivory Coast awaits results after divided election

Ivory Coast counted votes on Sunday after President Alassane Ouattara appeared headed for a fourth term following elections that exposed deep regional splits. The 83-year-old leader has governed the West African nation since 2011, overseeing its economic recovery as the world’s top cocoa exporter.

Electoral commission head Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert reported turnout reached about 50 percent among 9 million eligible voters. Polling sites in the commercial hub of Abidjan and opposition strongholds in the southern and western regions saw sparse participation, while northern areas backing Ouattara drew heavy crowds. Democratic Party leader Simon Doho questioned whether such uneven turnout could produce a legitimate winner.

Former president Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse chief Tidjane Thiam could not compete because of a criminal record and French citizenship, respectively. Four lesser-known challengers lacked the organizational strength of the ruling party. Violence claimed two lives on Saturday, bringing election-period deaths to six this month as authorities imposed curfews and deployed 44,000 security personnel.