Chad’s presidential election, on Monday, is supposed to mark the end of military rule, following the death of long-time president Idriss Deby Itno in 2021.
However, many see the election as a sham, orchestrated by the son of the late president, Mahamat Idriss Deby.
The opposition claims that the election has been rigged, and international human rights groups have raised concerns about its fairness.
The main contenders in the election are Mahamat Idriss Deby, who is seeking to extend his family’s decades-long rule, and the former prime minister, Succes Masra, who is criticized by some as being a puppet of the Deby regime.
The election comes at a crucial time for Chad, as it is a key player in the fight against jihadism in the Sahel region.
Mahamat Idriss Deby, known as MIDI, has promised a “knockout in the first round,” while Succes Masra has vowed to win without the need for a runoff. However, the election has been marred by violence and repression.
In 2021, Mahamat Idriss Deby was appointed as the transition leader following his father’s death. Initially, he promised an 18-month transition to democracy but later extended it by two years. Since then, opposition figures have been silenced, fled the country, or joined forces with Deby.
The lead-up to the election has been marked by violence, including the killing of Mahamat Idriss Deby’s chief rival, Yaya Dillo Djerou, in February. Additionally, there have been reports of human rights violations, including the killing of protesters and the suppression of opposition voices.
Despite these concerns, more than 8.2 million voters are registered to vote in the election. For many young Chadians, this will be their first time voting. While some, like 26-year-old literature student Idriss Amidou, see Deby as the only hope for the country, others, like 25-year-old law student Eric Bendiguim, believe that it is time for a change and will be casting their vote for Masra.
Voting stations across Chad opened at 6:00 am and closed at 5:00 pm. Results are expected on May 21, with a possible second round on June 22.
