Chad’s legislative, provincial, and local elections are taking place on Sunday, marking the final stage of a political transition initiated after three years of military rule. Despite being heralded by the government as a key step toward democratic reform, the elections have been marred by an opposition boycott, widespread accusations of electoral fraud, and fears of a lack of transparency.
The boycott, led by opposition figures like Succes Masra, leaves the field open to candidates aligned with Marshal Mahamat Idriss Itno, who assumed power in 2021 following the death of his father, long-time leader Idriss Deby Itno. The younger Itno’s government, which has ruled with increasing authoritarianism, faced criticism after a controversial presidential election earlier this year, which the opposition denounced as fraudulent.
Masra, in a Facebook live broadcast on Saturday, called the elections a “system built on lies and electoral theft,” advising his followers to stay home on election day. His concerns echoed those of other opposition leaders, who allege that the electoral process has been rigged from the start. On the eve of the election, the opposition Democratic Party of the Chadian People (PDPT) claimed that over a thousand ballots in the sub-prefecture of Bongor had disappeared, raising alarm over the fairness of the vote.
Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 6 p.m. local time. More than eight million registered voters are eligible to cast ballots, although foreign observers and political party representatives will be watching closely for signs of irregularities. However, the country’s private media, which has been stifled by government restrictions, will not cover the election due to a strike by journalists protesting censorship and the lack of subsidies for election coverage. This lack of independent coverage only increases suspicions surrounding the process.
Voting takes place against a backdrop of growing insecurity in the country, including ongoing jihadist attacks in the Lake Chad region, a deteriorating relationship with former colonial power France, and claims that Chad is meddling in the conflict in Sudan. Furthermore, many of the country’s last elections were delayed due to similar threats, as well as financial constraints and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The elections are supposed to mark the end of Chad’s military-led transition, which began after Idriss Deby Itno’s death in April 2021. Yet, for many Chadians, the vote seems to offer little hope for a true democratic future. Instead, it appears to cement the power of a regime that is increasingly seen as repressive and disconnected from the needs and desires of the people.
