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Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral commission dissolved: charting a new political course?

General view of the Ivorian National Assembly during South African President Thabo Mbeki's speech 04 December 2004 in Abidjan. Mbeki started new peace talks with various Ivory Coast groups Saturday, as European Union delegates urged all parties to find a peaceful solution to the two-year crisis wracking the divided west African nation. AFP PHOTO- KAMPBEL

A significant chapter closes in Côte d’Ivoire’s political landscape. After a quarter-century of organizing and overseeing national elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has been officially dissolved. This institution, frequently a point of contention for opposition parties, now leaves a void. What is the lasting legacy of the CEI? And what characteristics should define the new electoral body to ensure future elections are conducted peacefully and are widely accepted? We are keen to hear your perspectives on these crucial questions.