Chad is actively preparing for its presidential election scheduled for May 6, 2024, a crucial event which marks the end of three years of transition since the death of Idriss Deby Itno.
Background and Preparations
In 2021, after the Presidential election in Chad, President Idriss Derby died from injuries sustained after a clash with rebels. He had been President at that point for 30 years. His death led to the military suspending the constitution and setting up an interim government headed by the late President’s son, General Mahamat Idriss Derby. General Derby was 37 years old when he took over power from his father, and today, he is one of 10 candidates contesting in the presidential election, which is fixed for 6 May 2024.
Initially scheduled to last 18 months, the transition was extended by two years on the recommendation of a national dialogue boycotted by the majority of the opposition and the most powerful rebel groups.
Tensions emerged between the transitional authorities and the opposition, which delayed setting a date for the presidential election.
Following the adoption of a new constitution by referendum in December 2023. On February 27, 2024, the National Election Management Agency (ANGE) made public the voting schedule.
The electoral register used for the constitutional referendum last December will be renewed for the presidential election. According to the National Election Management Agency (ANGE), 8,202,207 voters from 26,536 polling stations were called to the polls on May 6. Chadians in the diaspora will also be able to participate in the vote. There are 31,772 people abroad who can fulfil their civic duty in 90 polling stations.
Application submissions took place from March 6 to 15, 2024. The Constitutional Council registered a total of 20 application files. After examination, only ten candidates were selected, including one woman, to participate in the presidential election.
The transition president, Mahamat Idriss Deby, is a candidate, as is one of his opponents, who became Prime Minister, Succès Mastra. However, essential opposition figures, namely Nassour Ibrahim Neguy Koursami and Rakhis Ahmat Saleh, were rejected for non-compliant administrative documents.
First round of the election
Since April 14, the 10 Chadian presidential candidates have been on the electoral campaign until May 4, 2024.
At the end of the vote, the announcement of the provisional results of the first round is scheduled for May 21, 2024. Then, the Constitutional Council will proclaim the final results on June 5, 2024. This timeline will, of course, be different if the results are close. And that a second round is necessary. If no candidate obtains an absolute majority, then a second round of the presidential election will be held on June 22, 2024, with a proclamation of provisional results on July 7, 2024 and final results on July 20, 2024.
The electoral process in Chad is of crucial importance for the political future of the country. Voters will have the opportunity to choose their next Head of State and contribute to the successful completion of a political transition underway since the death of Idriss Deby Itno in April 2021.
Below are some data from the election:
