N’DJAMENA, Apr 12 (NNN-IRIN) – Chad kicked off its presidential election yesterday, with people in the central African country queuing up to cast their votes. A total of seven candidates, including incumbent President, Idriss Deby Itno, are vying for the presidency for the next six years. One of Deby’s most important challengers is former Prime Minister, Pahimi Padacket Albert.
During his final campaign rally held Friday, in the capital N’Djamena, Deby called on his supporters to vote, and assured them he would win.
In early Mar, three opposition candidates announced their withdrawal from the race, including Saleh Kebzabo, heavyweight of the opposition, who wanted to boycott the election. Kebzabo came second in the 2016 presidential election.
More than 7.3 million people were eligible to vote this time, according to the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). The results should be announced in two weeks, the commission said.
There was no boycott on polling day, yesterday, Deby told the press, after having cast his ballot. He was satisfied that the presidential election took place within the constitutional deadline.
As the polling stations barely closed on Sunday evening in Chad, the ruling party and the opposition were divided over the voter turnout: a victory for democracy, according to the first, and a victory for the boycott, according to the second.
“Democracy has triumphed. The Chadians have given a great democratic lesson. The voters braved the distance, the heat, and the threatening speech. A very strong political signal was sent by the Chadians,” said Mahamat Zen Bada, campaign manager of the incumbent President, Idriss Deby Itno, also secretary general of the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS).
“The Chadians have demonstrated to the world the degree of their civility and attachment to democracy. This strong mobilisation of voters gives a fair response to the calls for boycott,” added Zen Bada, who also recognised “minor shortcomings” of the poll.
Opposition leader, Saleh Kebzabo, who withdrew from the electoral process, however, hailed an “important boycott victory,” while calling the poll a “simulacrum.”– NNN-IRIN
