Opposition parties in Ivory Coast want the electoral body to postpone legislative elections due to be held on 6 March as they say they need more time to prepare for them.

Presidential elections held last October were boycotted by the opposition as they were angered that President Alassane Ouattara, who won the vote, was standing for a third term.

But the different parties want to participate in the parliamentary vote – and say in previous years they had more time to get ready.

The campaign season is due to start on 26 February and run until 4 March.

One official from former President Laurent Gbagbo’s party suggested that instead of postponing the election day, the deadline for the submission of candidates be extended.

However, the election commission president said that unless changes were approved through an official process, his institution was committed to follow the dates as planned.