Seven senior officials of the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI-RDA) have been summoned by the Criminal Police Directorate, Abidjan.net learned from sources close to the party led by Tidjane Thiam.

The summonses were delivered late Monday afternoon, October 27, at the PDCI headquarters in Cocody. Among the personalities concerned are several well-known figures: Noël Akossi Bendjo, former mayor of Plateau, Sylvestre Emmou, chief executive secretary, Georges Philippe Ezaley, Augustin Dia Houphouët Yohou, Alain Cocauthrey, Roger M'Bia, and Jean Kouakou Gnrangbé.

According to party officials, these officials play a central role in coordinating local structures. Their simultaneous convening is seen as an attempt to "weaken the party's structure" in a tense post-election context.

"No clear explanation has been given as to the reasons for these summonses. Everything suggests a political intimidation operation," said a source close to the PDCI leadership.

This incident comes 24 hours after the announcement of the provisional results of the presidential election, which gave Alassane Ouattara the victory with 89.77% of the vote. The PDCI-RDA, which boycotted the election alongside Laurent Gbagbo's PPA-CI and their allies in the Common Front, is contesting the legitimacy of this fourth term.

As a reminder, several incidents marred the October 25 election, particularly in certain locations in the interior of the country, according to independent observers. The opposition continues to denounce an electoral process that is "locked down" and "marred by irregularities."