Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said Thursday he will contest tense presidential polls in October, which come after years of political turbulence and civil war in the world's top cocoa grower. "I am a candidate in the presidential election of October 31," Ouattara told public broadcaster RTI. The presidential race was transformed after prime minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly -- seen as Ouattara's anointed successor -- died of a heart attack on July 8 at the age of 61. Ouattara's decision will likely spark accusations of abuse of democracy under the country's two-term presidential limits. He has previously argued that a constitutional change has reset the clock, enabling him to potentially run again. de/ach/pvh