Following three years of army rule, Chad casts a ballot in the general election.
#image_title

Following three years of army rule, Chad casts a ballot in the general election.


Share this post

With the opposition calling for a boycott, attendance was predicted to be low for Sunday's general election, which the government believes is a crucial step in eliminating military rule.

According to the elections administration organisation ANGE, midday numbers indicated a turnout of only 38% to elect a new parliament, regional assemblies, and local councils.

Voter disinterest was attributed to the "cold weather" by election officials in the affluent neighbourhood where the president's family and ruling dignitaries reside.

They "have all stayed at home following our call, that is, the overwhelming majority," Succes Masra, leader of the opposition Transformers party, told AFP, urging Chad's eight million voters to boycott the poll, which they claim had been chosen beforehand.

Contenders supporting President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who was ushered into office by the military in 2021 and then validated in a May presidential election that opposition contenders criticised as rigged, will have an advantage over the boycott.

Masra said on Saturday that, “The fabricated results are already in the computers.”

Deby made a post on Facebook, alongside photos of himself casting his ballot on what he called a "historic day" saying, “I urge all my compatriots on the electoral roll to come out and vote en masse,”

Due to a lack of employment opportunities, 28-year-old Herve Natouingan, a former construction worker who now drives a motorbike taxi, claimed that voting was "pointless" because "there's no real voting in Chad."

A 39-year-old jobless man named Patrice Lumumba Deoumoundou told AFP that he had cast his ballot on Sunday morning in the hopes of "change across the board"—more jobs, lower price increases, "more justice," and "more equality." "So far, nothing has been done," he stated.

For logistical considerations, troops, police officers, and nomads cast ballots on Saturday, just like in past elections.

There was a "record" turnout, according to Chad's election management bureau, with almost 72% of the army and 54% of nomads participating. "These elections have a lot on the local level at stake," it stated.

Sheikh Djibrine Hassabakarim, one of the community's representatives, stated that the nomads had come to request better living circumstances from the candidates who will be elected tomorrow.

According to him, his community has been negatively impacted by climate change, which has killed cattle, led to conflicts with sedentary farmers, and made it difficult for them to provide for their families.

About 100 international election observers and political party members are keeping an eye on the polling places, which will be open until 6:00 p.m. (1700 GMT).

The opposition Democratic Party of the Chadian People (PDPT) reported on Saturday night that over a thousand votes meant for the Bongor sub-prefecture had vanished.

In order to "thwart the fraud networks," which it claimed had been established by the ruling MPS party, it asked for "vigilance."

Voting is happening amid claims that Chad is meddling in the turmoil raging in neighbouring Sudan, the conclusion of a military agreement with erstwhile colonial master France, and frequent attacks by the Islamist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region.

The elections have been portrayed by the government as the last phase of the democratic transition. After his father, who had governed the Sahel nation for thirty years, passed away in 2021, Deby assumed leadership.


Share this post
Comments

Be the first to know

Join our community and get notified about upcoming stories

Subscribing...
You've been subscribed!
Something went wrong
Rihanna Marks 20 Years of Her Debut Album ‘Music of the Sun’

Rihanna Marks 20 Years of Her Debut Album ‘Music of the Sun’

Two decades ago, a teenage Rihanna left her home in Barbados with a dream. At just 17 years old, she released her debut album Music of the Sun on August 29, 2005. Now, twenty years later, Rihanna is celebrating the milestone with gratitude, nostalgia, and fresh surprises for fans. To mark the anniversary, Rihanna shared a moving message on Instagram, reflecting on the moment that changed her life forever. “20 years ago, I left my country, my culture, my food, and family to embark on a journey t


O A

Trump Revokes Secret Service Protection for Harris Ahead of Book Tour

Trump Revokes Secret Service Protection for Harris Ahead of Book Tour

President Donald Trump has cancelled Secret Service protection for Kamala Harris, which had been extended by Joe Biden before he left office, according to one of her advisers. As a former vice-president, Ms Harris was entitled under law to receive six months of security after leaving office in January, which was due to expire in July. Her protection had been quietly extended for another year by a directive signed by her former boss but was revoked by Trump in a memo dated on Thursday, accordin


O A

Apple Music Now Lets You Transfer Playlists From Spotify

Apple Music Now Lets You Transfer Playlists From Spotify

Apple Music's latest feature makes it easier to switch services and juggle multiple music platforms. Apple Music app customers woke up to a new feature Tuesday, although not many know it exists yet.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by New Dope (@newdopehq) Apple Music subscribers can now grab songs or playlists from other music platforms, notably Spotify, and bring them to Apple. The ability to transfer music from other music services is buried in the Music App settings. Init


O A

French Montana & Sheikha Mahra Confirm Engagement

French Montana & Sheikha Mahra Confirm Engagement

French Montana is starting his next chapter in life with a major gesture of love. The rapper proposed to Princess Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with a diamond ring that carries a price tag of more than one million dollars. The piece was created by Eric the Jeweler of Mavani & Co., who worked closely with French for several months before the final design was completed. The ring features an emerald-cut diamond that weighs 11.53 carats and is valued at approximately $1,050,000


O A