The schedule for submitting candidacy papers to run for October’s presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire ends by midnight.

At least 36 candidates are expected to be registered by the end the day for the presidential race, if all application are submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission.

Opposition leaders, Pascal Affi Nguessan of Ivorian Popular Front, and Henri Konan Bedie of the opposition Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire had earlier submitted their candidacy last Thurday.

Political Icons, Laurent Gbagbo and Guillaume Soro, are also expected to file in their candidacy despite being struff off by the electoral body and having lost their civil rights.

Outgoing President Alassane Ouattara, was the first to submit his application last Monday, with the signatures of one million citizens, a condition for eligibility to contest for the presidency:

Ivorian voters are expected to go to the polls on October 31, 2020, the constitutional deadline, to elect a new president.