Chad’s Opposition Demands Election Cancellation Amid Allegations of Boycott
Chadian opposition calls for cancellation of upcoming elections amid claims of widespread boycott. ANGE assures the legitimacy of the electoral process, to conclude a three-year transitional period since the death of President Idriss Deby. Opposition leaders advocate for a new transition, citing discontent with the ruling regime’s governance. Political analysts suggest that despite allegations of irregularities, the elections are unlikely to be annulled. The government condemns opposition actions as attempts to instigate chaos.
Chad is currently experiencing heightened political tension as opposition groups demand an immediate cessation of the transitional government and cancellation of the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 29. The elections management body, ANGE, has assured that it will proceed with counting votes despite claims of irregularities. The political atmosphere reflects deep-seated discontent with the ruling regime, which many perceive as a continuation of the late President Idriss Deby’s authoritarian rule through his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby.
Assane Bairra, representing ANGE, confirmed that vote counting is already underway following the local, provincial, and parliamentary elections that took place recently, which are intended to conclude Chad’s three-year transitional period initiated after President Deby’s death in April 2021. Provisional results are expected by January 15, although the elections have been marred by allegations of a significant boycott by the electorate.
Opposition leader Avocksouma Djona, speaking on behalf of the Political Actors Consultation Group (GCAP), claimed that over 90% of registered voters heeded calls for a boycott, triggered by widespread perceptions that the election is a mere façade for extending the Deby family’s grip on power. Djona described the current regime as dictatorial, suppressing dissenting voices and inciting anger among Chadians. Similarly, Succes Masra, president of The Transformers and a former prime minister, advocated for a new transition characterized by dialogue, integrity, and reconciliation to forge a stable political landscape.
Despite the opposition’s assertions regarding the massive boycott, political analyst Yamingue Betinbaye expressed skepticism about the annulment of the elections, suggesting it is unlikely that the polls would be declared invalid despite the opposition’s claims of irregularities such as ballot stuffing. The Chadian government has criticized calls for a new transition, labeling them as attempts to incite chaos and escalate violence, urging civilians not to engage in destabilizing protests.
Chad has been under a transitional government since the death of President Idriss Deby Itno in April 2021. His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, assumed leadership, navigating a delicate political landscape marked by a lack of genuine democratic processes. The proposed elections are intended to finalize the transitional phase, yet opposition factions contest their legitimacy, alleging voter suppression and manipulation. The situation is compounded by public frustration towards the ruling party’s perceived authoritarianism, leading to calls for an alternative transitional approach that seeks to address underlying political grievances and promote social cohesion.
The political climate in Chad is fraught with tension as opposition parties challenge the legitimacy of the upcoming elections amid claims of significant voter boycott. While the elections management body defends the integrity of the electoral process, the ruling government faces accusations of authoritarian practices. The ongoing discourse underscores the dire need for a recalibrated political framework that encompasses inclusive dialogue and addresses widespread public discontent to avert potential instability.
Original Source: www.voanews.com