Elections in Chad
Chad goes to the polls today for legislative, provincial and local elections that are presented by the government as the last stage of a political transition after three years of military rule, but are being boycotted by the opposition.
Background
The boycott leaves the field open to candidates aligned with Marshal Mahamat Idriss Itno, who was brought to power by the military in 2021 and then legitimised in a presidential election last May that opposition candidates denounced as fraudulent. "It is better to stay at home," said opposition figure Succes Masra in a long Facebook live yesterday, denouncing a "system built on lies and electoral theft." "The fabricated results are already in the computers," he said.
Voting and Election Process
Polling stations will be open from 6am to 6pm to welcome the approximately 8 million registered voters, watched by a hundred foreign observers and representatives of different political parties. As in previous elections, soldiers, members of the police forces and nomadic people began voting yesterday.
Challenges and Concerns
Voting is taking place against a backdrop of recurring attacks by extremist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region, the ending of a military accord with former colonial master France and accusations that Chad is interfering in the conflict ravaging neighbouring Sudan. Itno’s government has presented the weekend elections as a key stage in the transition to democratic rule.
The Opposition’s Perspective
The opposition says the regime has become increasingly autocratic and repressive. In his speech yesterday, Succes Masra recalled the "bloodbath" that greeted opposition demonstrations in October 2022. Despite attempts by the ruling party to drum up enthusiasm, the ballots are being handed out amid a near news blackout because of an ongoing strike by online journalists protesting restrictions placed on them. The country’s private press will not cover election day because the government refused to provide the subsidies that are normally paid for this sort of event.
Conclusion
Chad’s legislative, provincial and local elections are being held today, but the opposition has boycotted the process, citing concerns over fraud and the legitimacy of the election results. The government has presented the election as a key stage in the transition to democratic rule, but the opposition sees it as a means to maintain power and reinforce the country’s authoritarian regime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the opposition boycotting the elections?
A: The opposition is boycotting the elections due to concerns over the legitimacy of the election results and the government’s attempts to maintain power.
Q: What are the main issues facing Chad’s elections?
A: The main issues facing Chad’s elections include recurring attacks by extremist group Boko Haram, the ending of a military accord with former colonial master France, and accusations that Chad is interfering in the conflict ravaging neighbouring Sudan.
Q: What is the current state of the country’s press freedom?
A: The country’s private press is not covering the election day due to restrictions placed on them by the government, and online journalists are on strike protesting the restrictions.
Q: What is the opposition’s stance on the government’s handling of the elections?
A: The opposition sees the government’s handling of the elections as an attempt to maintain power and reinforce the country’s authoritarian regime.