Ivory Coast Election: Alassane Ouattara Wins Second Term

His previous victory was rejected by the incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, sparking a civil war which killed 3,000 people.

Mr Ouattara's closest challenger, Pascal Affi N'Guessan, got 9%. He is an ally of Mr Gbagbo who faces trial at the International Criminal Court.

Several candidates withdrew from the poll, saying it was not free and fair.

However, on Monday US election observers said the election was credible.

Mr Ouattara required more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off.

The 55% turnout was sharply down compared to 80% in 2010.

Analysis: Tamasin Ford, BBC News, Abidjan

After a decade of economic stagnation and two civil wars, most of the country, whether they supported Alassane Ouattara or not, will simply be happy these elections passed by peacefully.

Former President Laurent Gbagbo who is in The Hague at the International Criminal Court awaiting a war crimes trial, left a fractured and divided party, making Mr Ouattara's victory a foregone conclusion.

While it was a landslide win, voter turnout, at 54%, may be a worry for the president considering more than 80% went to cast their vote in 2010.

However, Mr Ouattara won 30 out of Ivory Coast's 31 regions so clearly has support from all corners of the country.

His strongest support lies in the north, where he won close to 100% of the vote in some areas.

The scale of his victory may raise some eyebrows but many of those opposed to Mr Ouattara may simply have decided not to vote.

Three candidates dropped out of the race before election day citing lack of transparency - claims they are yet to back up.

A fourth candidate congratulated the president on victory before the results were in, leaving five who are also likely to accept Mr Ouattara's win; partially due to the heavy presence of election observers who declared the elections free and fair.

While President Ouattara has been praised for transforming the economy and returning Ivory Coast to the economic success story it was in the 1970s, he has also been criticised for not doing enough for reconciliation and justice.

When I interviewed him before the elections, he said these issues along with women's rights and young people, would be his priorities if a wins a second term.