(Ecofin Agency) - The first results of the municipal and regional elections held Sunday in Cote d’Ivoire present the ruling party RHDP (Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix) as the winner in most localities. But opposition parties are already protesting the results.

The provisional results released by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) showed that the ruling party RHDP has secured victory in 80 out of 123 municipalities following the municipal and regional elections held on September 2.

The party won in the strategic commune of Yopougon with Adama Bictogo. As the country's largest commune and a former stronghold of President Gbagbo, Yopougon was one of the biggest stakes and challenges for the major political parties. Victory was also declared in other communes such as Abobo, Koumassi, Treichville, Jacqueville and Grand Lahou.

However, the opposition party PDCI-RDA (Parti Démocratique de Côte d'Ivoire - Rassemblement Démocratique Africain) won 12 municipalities, including Plateau, the business hub, and Cocody. It also maintained its presence in Yamoussoukro and Daoukro, the stronghold of the late former President Henri Konan Bédié.

According to the results, the PDCI/PPA-CI alliance remains the most prominent, followed by the PDCI-MGC alliance led by former First Lady Simone Gbagbo, with 5 municipalities won.

As for the regional elections, the party led by the President, Alassane Ouattara, holds 8 out of 9 regions according to partial results. Prime Minister Patrick Achi emerged victorious in the Mê region.

Eight (8) million voters cast their ballots on September 2 amid a tumultuous political climate. According to the President of the Independent Electoral Commission, Ibrahim Kuibiert Coulibaly, the voter turnout for the municipal elections is 40%.

Following the elections, some candidates denounced “some irregularities”. On September 3, the PDCI-RDA and PPA-CI issued a joint statement rejecting the provisional results for the Yopougon municipality, citing "significant irregularities" that had "jeopardized the electoral process and prevented voters from expressing their true choices."

The unsatisfied candidates have three days to file complaints.