The two main opposition parties in Ivory Coast called on Sunday for demonstrations "every day," demanding political dialogue, less than two weeks before the presidential election from which their candidates have been excluded.

On Saturday, several hundred people responded to a call from the opposition to march in Abidjan, but the demonstration, which had been banned by the authorities, was dispersed in Abidjan by the police using tear gas.

237 people were also arrested according to the Ministry of the Interior.

The authorities have banned any demonstrations criticizing the decisions of the Constitutional Council, which published the final list of candidates for the presidential election on October 25.

The Council validated the candidacy of Head of State Alassane Ouattara, who is running for a fourth term, but not those of former President Laurent Gbabgo or Tidjane Thiam, his two main rivals, who were excluded by court decisions.

"Demonstrations for democracy, justice and peace will continue every day and throughout the country, until the demands are met through political dialogue," announced the Common Front, which brings together the two main opposition parties, in a joint statement seen by AFP on Sunday.

These are the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI) of Tidjane Thiam, the main opposition force, and the African People's Party - Côte d'Ivoire (PPA-CI) of former President Laurent Gbagbo.

The two parties, which reported "numerous injuries" on Saturday, "reaffirm their firm determination not to be intimidated or distracted by the regime's savage repression."

The Common Front, which is also protesting against a fourth term for Mr. Ouattara, considering it unconstitutional, is calling for "non-violence, calm and composure."

According to PDCI officials, police officers attempted to enter the home of Noël Akossi Bendjo, one of the party's vice-presidents, on Saturday evening to arrest him, but he was absent.

The election campaign, which sees five candidates competing, opened on Friday and will last 14 days.

Four opposition candidates are qualified to face Alassane Ouattara on October 25: former Minister of Commerce Jean-Louis Billon, a PDCI dissident; two former companions of Laurent Gbagbo who have broken with him, his ex-wife Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and former Minister Ahoua Don Mello; and finally Henriette Lagou, who was already a candidate in 2015.