The locality of Bonon, about 300 km (180 miles) west of Abidjan, is one of several areas that had to organize a rerun of voting in the West African state’s parliamentary election after some results from the December poll were annulled over irregularities.
“We deplore the deaths of five people, and some wounded,” a regional official told Reuters on condition of anonymity, adding that the attack took place as electoral officials were counting ballots. Residents of the area confirmed the deaths.
The violence underscores how high tension remains in the country less than a year after the end of a post-election civil war that toppled ex-leader Laurent Gbagbo, killed some 3,000 people, and forced more than a million from their homes.
The UN mission in Ivory Coast issued a statement on Monday condemning the attack and calling for an investigation. But it gave no details on dead or wounded.
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara’s ruling coalition won four-fifths of seats in parliament in December’s election.
