Chadians Head to the Polls in First Presidential Election Since Military Seizure
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Chadians are gearing up for a crucial presidential election on Monday, marking the first such event in Africa’s Sahel region since a series of coups. The election comes three years after the military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby seized power following the death of his long-ruling father, Idriss Deby, in April 2021.
Deby, the incumbent, is expected to win the election, promising to enhance security, strengthen the rule of law, and increase electricity production. However, his main opponent has been drawing significant crowds during the campaign, raising hopes for a competitive race.
The election is taking place amid a temporary withdrawal of U.S. troops from Chad, a key Western ally in a region plagued by jihadism and courted by global powers like Russia. With polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m., around 8.5 million Chadians are registered to vote.
Soldiers have already cast their votes in early voting on Sunday, with provisional results expected by May 21 and final results by June 5. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the votes, a run-off will be held on June 22.
The election pits Deby against his prime minister, Succes Masra, former prime minister Albert Pahimi Padacke, and seven other candidates. The political landscape has been marred by violence, including the killing of opposition politician Yaya Dillo in February.
As the country braces for potential unrest, both supporters and critics are hoping for a peaceful and transparent electoral process. The outcome of the election is crucial for Chad, with many citizens yearning for change and a new direction for their nation.