By Nur Asena Erturk
Presidential candidate in the Ivory Coast, Jean-Louis Billon has acknowledged his defeat against incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, following the Oct. 25 election.
Former Commerce Minister Billon, in a post on the US social media company X on Sunday, congratulated Ouattara for “his announced victory according to the initial results that we collected.”
Billon also thanked his voters and supporters.
According to preliminary results gradually announced by the country’s electoral committee CEI, President Ouattara, 83, is greatly ahead of his rivals and likely to secure a fourth term.
Five candidates were in the race, including Ouattara. Others were Billon, Simone Gbagbo, a former first lady, Ahoua Don Mello, once a spokesperson for former President Laurent Gbagbo, and Henriette Lagou of the Ivorian Popular Front.
The voting unfolded peacefully, but the participation rate was considered low.