Chad’s Ruling Party Dominates Parliamentary Elections Amid Opposition Boycott
Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement secured 124 of 188 seats in the recent parliamentary election, which saw significant opposition boycotts. The election, viewed as a consolidation of power for President Mahamat Idriss Deby, reported a voter turnout of 51.5%, marking the first such election in over a decade amidst ongoing security challenges.
In a parliamentary election held last month, Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (PSM) has emerged victorious, securing 124 of the 188 available seats. This election, the country’s first in over a decade, was largely boycotted by the primary opposition parties, who deemed the process a “charade.” Despite the opposition’s absence, voter turnout was reported at 51.5%, according to provisional results announced by Ahmed Bartchiret, the head of the electoral commission. This election marked the concluding phase of Chad’s transition to democracy following the military ascent of Mahamat Idriss Deby in 2021, after the death of his father, long-serving leader Idriss Deby Itno. The ruling party’s success is seen as a mechanism for consolidating President Deby’s political influence amid ongoing security challenges, including conflicts with militant groups and shifts in international alliances.
Chad is currently undergoing significant political transformation, initiated after the death of former president Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled for 30 years. Following his death, Mahamat Idriss Deby, his son, assumed control as a military leader. The recent parliamentary elections, marked by the boycott of the main opposition groups, are positioned as a crucial step towards establishing a more decentralised governance structure. This election process is part of broader efforts to enhance democratic processes within the nation, although skepticism remains about its credibility due to the exclusion of key opposition voices.
The recent parliamentary elections in Chad indicate a clear consolidation of power for the ruling party in light of the opposition’s boycotting efforts. With the Patriotic Salvation Movement winning a significant majority, the political landscape seems poised for further dominance by President Mahamat Idriss Deby. This situation raises important questions regarding the future of democratic governance in Chad and the handling of ongoing security challenges that the nation faces.
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