Chad commenced the vote-counting process on Monday evening as part of a presidential election aiming to conclude three years of military rule, which critics of junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno have denounced as rigged.
The outcome of the election will determine whether the Deby family’s three-decade-long reign will be extended in a nation crucial to combating insurgency across the Sahel desert region.
Chad marks the first of four military-led regimes in the Sahel to hold elections following successive coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020.
Deby’s primary opponent is former opposition leader Succes Masra, who critics dismiss as a puppet due to the absence of other significant challengers.
Both candidates have expressed confidence in securing victory in the first round of polls, despite concerns raised by international rights groups about the fairness and freedom of the electoral process, especially following the death of Deby’s main rival and the banning of other contenders.
Ballot counting commenced with most polling stations closed on Monday evening, witnessed by AFP reporters, after voters had queued earlier in the day to cast their votes.
“I’ve come here today… to pick a good president who can change the country now and even help young people to evolve,” remarked Angeline Goltoua, a 24-year-old unemployed citizen, reflecting the aspirations of many Chadians seeking positive change.
Observers initially predicted a landslide victory for the 40-year-old Deby, especially after the elimination of his main opponent. However, Masra, also aged 40, has gained significant support in recent weeks and may potentially force a second round of voting. “I want change in my country.
The country has been through a lot,” expressed Elia Torndoumbay, a 37-year-old unemployed nurse voting in N’Djamena, capturing the sentiment of citizens longing for justice and equality.
Tragically, a 65-year-old man was fatally shot after voting in the southern city of Moundou by an unidentified assailant who lacked an electoral card and was consequently barred from voting, according to electoral officials.
Meanwhile, Masra encouraged his supporters to turn out “in massive numbers” and vote for “massive change,” while Deby, surrounded by armed presidential guards, reiterated his commitment to a “return to the constitutional order” after casting his ballot.
Deby assumed the role of transitional president in 2021 following the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, and pledged an 18-month transition to democracy, which was later extended by two years, drawing criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups silenced or coerced into collaboration with the junta.
