TITLE II. THE STATE AND SOVEREIGNTY
CHAPTER I. THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF THE REPUBLIC
Article 48
The State of Côte d’Ivoire is an independent and sovereign Republic.
The national emblem is the tricolor flag of orange, white and green in vertical bands and of equal dimensions.
The national anthem is the “Song of Abidjan” (l’Abidjanaise).
The motto of the Republic is: Union, Discipline, Work.
The official language is French.
Article 49
The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is one and indivisible, secular, democratic and social.
The principle of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is the government of the people, by the people and for the people.
CHAPTER II. SOVEREIGNTY
Article 50
Sovereignty resides in the people.
No section of the people or any individual may arrogate to itself or themselves the exercise thereof.
Article 51
The people exercise their sovereignty by means of a referendum and by their elected representatives.
The conditions of recourse to the referendum as well as the procedures for the election of the President of the Republic and of the members of Parliament are determined by the Constitution and specified by an organic law.
The independent Commission responsible for organizing the referendum, the presidential, legislative and local government elections, under the conditions prescribed by law, is an independent administrative authority. A single law determines its responsibilities, its organization and operating procedures.
The Constitutional Council reviews the regularity of the operations of the referendum, of the election of the President of the Republic and of the Members of Parliament.
Article 52
The right to vote is universal, free, equal and secret.
Voters are, under the conditions determined by law, all Ivoirian nationals of both sexes of at least eighteen years of age and enjoying their civil and political rights.
