In an election boycotted by the opposition and reportedly marred by intimidation, violence and electoral malpractice, Ivory Coast's incumbent president, Alassane Ouattara won a controversial third term in office with 94% of the votes cast.

 

The electoral turnout is estimated to be 54% and the results is yet to be confirmed by the Constitutional Council.

 

Main opposition candidates Pascal Affi N'Guessan and Henri Konan Bédié had urged their supporters not to vote.

 

They got 1% and 2% respectively, while a fourth candidate, Kouadio Konan Bertin, also getting  2%, according to the official results.

 

The opposition parties argue that it was illegal for Mr Ouattara to stand for a third term as it broke rules on term limits. But the president and his supporters are of the opinion that since the constitutional changes occured in 2016 during his first term that does not count. 

 

According to AFP reports, at least nine people were killed during Saturday's vote.