Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, now an opposition figure whose candidacy for Saturday's presidential election was rejected, on Wednesday described the election as a "civil coup" and "electoral robbery."

In an interview with the pan-African media outlet AFO Media, Mr. Gbagbo also affirmed his "support" for those who "are demonstrating against this electoral robbery." He did not, however, call on them to "take to the streets."

The opposition denounces the exclusion from the election of its two main leaders, Mr. Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, as well as the candidacy for a fourth term of President Alassane Ouattara (in power since 2011).

They called for demonstrations that the authorities banned, arguing that they risked disturbing public order.

"My candidacy was rejected, just as Tidjane Thiam's candidacy was rejected. Those who could win these elections have been rejected. I do not accept this," added Mr. Gbagbo.

His candidacy and that of Mr. Thiam were rejected by the Constitutional Council, due to their removal from the electoral roll.

Mr. Gbagbo is absent due to a criminal conviction related to the 2010-2011 post-election crisis and Mr. Thiam due to nationality issues.

A total of four people have died since mid-October on the sidelines of demonstrations or blockades, including a police officer.

Furthermore, more than 700 people have been arrested in the country, some for acts that amount to "acts of terrorism," according to prosecutor Oumar Braman Koné, and at least sixty have been sentenced to three years in prison for disturbing public order.

If Messrs. Gbagbo and Thiam are excluded from the election by the courts, four candidates will challenge President Ouattara in the first round on Saturday.

These are the former Minister of Commerce Jean-Louis Billon, a dissident from the PDCI; two former companions of Laurent Gbagbo who broke with him, his ex-wife Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and the former minister Ahoua Don Mello; and finally Henriette Lagou, already a candidate in 2015.

On Wednesday, Laurent Gbagbo also stated that he would not support any candidate in Saturday's election. "We don't support anyone. And we don't even support the electoral process," he declared.