After a week-long visit to Ivory Coast, the United Nations secretary-general's special representative for West Africa and the Sahel region, has urged Ivorians to preserve unity and peace ahead of the presidential election.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Mohamed Ibn Chambas’s, said his visit was to reaffirm the UN's commitment to achieve a peaceful, inclusive, transparent and credible presidential vote on October 31.

Last month, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for peace following violence against President Alassane Ouattara's third term bid. He has been serving as the head of state since 2010.

Chambas called on all Ivorian political actors to reject the use of hate speech, violence and all forms of sectarianism and to commit to a peaceful electoral process and a peaceful presidential poll.

Michelle Bachelet, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said she was concerned that the electoral process in Ivory Coast began amid a tense political context and a backdrop of pre-existing triggers of violence related to issues of nationality, toxic regional and ethnic divides, economic inequalities, discrimination and impunity for past crimes.

''The rifts in society are likely to widen with the intensification of the political campaign and hardening of positions. We also note an increase in hate speech on social media. I urge the authorities to ensure that the human rights of everyone are fully protected and respected in this important election period," she said.

According to the UN, violence after a disputed election in 2010 won by Ouattara resulted in the death of at least 3 000 people. This is after the former president Laurent Gbagbo refused to recognise the victory.