Election observers in capital N'Djamena and other regions report peaceful voting process with no major incidents, but note lack of voter enthusiasm
Byobe Malenga |30.12.2024 - TRT/AA
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo
Vote counting for Chad's general elections, boycotted by the main opposition party, continued on Monday, with the electoral authority reporting a turnout of just over 36% in Sunday's poll.
Despite Chadian President Marshal Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno's appeal to encourage people to vote for members of a new parliament, provincial assemblies, and local councils, the National Agency for the Management of Elections (ANGE) reported a low turnout of 36.22%.
Over 8 million voters were registered at 26,617 polling stations across the country. Ballot counting is currently underway, and provisional results are expected by January 15.
Election observers in the capital N'Djamena and other regions reported a peaceful voting process with no major incidents, but they also noted a lack of enthusiasm among voters.
The opposition Les Transformateurs party, led by former Prime Minister Succes Masra, boycotted the elections, claiming that the results were pre-determined.
"The outcome is already predetermined," Masra said in a Facebook live broadcast on Monday, adding, "We refuse to be part of a facade and urge Chadians to stay at home."
He criticized, what he called, a “system built on lies and electoral fraud” and emphasized the need for “real change” to uplift one of the world's poorest nations.
However, the military and nomadic people had significantly higher participation in Sunday’s general elections.
The ANGE reported that 72% of military personnel and 54% of nomadic voters voted on Saturday for logistical reasons.
These elections took place against the backdrop of Chad's political, economic, and security challenges. They are viewed as critical in shaping the nation's future.
Chad, a predominantly desert Sahelian country, has been led by Marshal Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, 40, since 2021, when his father, Idriss Deby Itno, died.
He won a five-year term in a contentious May 2024 election that the opposition labeled fraudulent.
These general elections are a critical step for Deby to consolidate his authority, secure a parliamentary majority, and strengthen his control over local governance structures.
Chad’s parliamentary elections marked by low turnout and opposition boycotts
Copyright AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File
By Oman Al Yahyai
Published on 30/12/2024 -
Critics have dismissed the vote as a ploy to allow junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby to entrench his power.
Chadians cast their votes on Sunday in parliamentary and regional elections marked by low turnout.
These elections are set to conclude a three-year transitional period of military rule, though they were overshadowed by a boycott from the main opposition, which has accused the authorities of failing to ensure a credible electoral process.
The parliamentary election, Chad's first in over a decade, comes in the wake of junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby's contentious victory in a presidential poll intended to restore democratic governance.
Deby assumed leadership in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled the country for 30 years.
Polling closed late on Monday, but the official results are not expected for another two weeks.
Speaking on the significance of the election, Deby remarked that it would “pave the way for the era of decentralisation so long awaited and desired by the Chadian people".
Chad, an oil-exporting nation of 18 million people and among the poorest in Africa, has not experienced a free and fair transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960.
Around 8 million voters were registered to elect 188 legislators for a new National Assembly, as well as representatives at provincial and municipal levels.
However, voter turnout appeared minimal in the capital, N’Djamena, with scant participation recorded at several polling stations.
“We hope that the people we voted for do a good job for a better Chad, a Chad with a future," said Mahamat Issa Hissein, who voted in N’Djamena.
Over 10 opposition parties, including the leading Transformers party, boycotted the elections. The Transformers party's candidate, Succes Masra, secured second place in the presidential race.
RelatedChad ends defence pact with France nixing its military presence
The party criticised both the parliamentary and presidential elections, dismissed by many as a “charade” and a strategy for Deby to consolidate power and maintain a "dynasty".
Masra, who briefly served as prime minister earlier this year before stepping down to contest the presidency, accused the authorities on Saturday of planning to rig the results, and told voters that “It is better to stay at home”.
The election comes at a pivotal time for Chad, which faces mounting security challenges, including Boko Haram insurgent attacks in the Lake Chad region and a breakdown in long standing military cooperation with France, its key ally.
Additional sources • AP
Copyright AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File
By Oman Al Yahyai
Published on 30/12/2024 -
Critics have dismissed the vote as a ploy to allow junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby to entrench his power.
Chadians cast their votes on Sunday in parliamentary and regional elections marked by low turnout.
These elections are set to conclude a three-year transitional period of military rule, though they were overshadowed by a boycott from the main opposition, which has accused the authorities of failing to ensure a credible electoral process.
The parliamentary election, Chad's first in over a decade, comes in the wake of junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby's contentious victory in a presidential poll intended to restore democratic governance.
Deby assumed leadership in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled the country for 30 years.
Polling closed late on Monday, but the official results are not expected for another two weeks.
Speaking on the significance of the election, Deby remarked that it would “pave the way for the era of decentralisation so long awaited and desired by the Chadian people".
Chad, an oil-exporting nation of 18 million people and among the poorest in Africa, has not experienced a free and fair transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960.
Around 8 million voters were registered to elect 188 legislators for a new National Assembly, as well as representatives at provincial and municipal levels.
However, voter turnout appeared minimal in the capital, N’Djamena, with scant participation recorded at several polling stations.
“We hope that the people we voted for do a good job for a better Chad, a Chad with a future," said Mahamat Issa Hissein, who voted in N’Djamena.
Over 10 opposition parties, including the leading Transformers party, boycotted the elections. The Transformers party's candidate, Succes Masra, secured second place in the presidential race.
RelatedChad ends defence pact with France nixing its military presence
The party criticised both the parliamentary and presidential elections, dismissed by many as a “charade” and a strategy for Deby to consolidate power and maintain a "dynasty".
Masra, who briefly served as prime minister earlier this year before stepping down to contest the presidency, accused the authorities on Saturday of planning to rig the results, and told voters that “It is better to stay at home”.
The election comes at a pivotal time for Chad, which faces mounting security challenges, including Boko Haram insurgent attacks in the Lake Chad region and a breakdown in long standing military cooperation with France, its key ally.
Additional sources • AP
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