Chad’s Ruling Party Secures Majority in Controversial Parliamentary Elections

Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement, won 124 out of 188 parliamentary seats in the recent elections, held with a 51.5% turnout. The election was boycotted by major opposition parties, raising questions about its legitimacy. These elections are viewed as a step in the country’s transition to democracy following the military rule of President Mahamat Idriss Deby after his father’s death.

The ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement party of Chad has secured a significant victory in the recent parliamentary elections, obtaining 124 out of 188 seats, as reported by the electoral commission’s head, Ahmed Bartchiret. This election is notable as it marks Chad’s first parliamentary vote in over a decade, with a voter turnout of 51.5%. However, it was marred by a boycott from over ten opposition parties, including the prominent Transformers party, which criticized the legitimacy of the election process. President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who succeeded his late father, Idriss Deby Itno, expressed that these elections would initiate decentralization efforts desired by the populace.

Chad has experienced significant political shifts following the death of long-time President Idriss Deby Itno in 2021, who ruled for three decades. His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, assumed power as a military leader, promising a transition to democracy. The recent parliamentary elections were framed as the concluding phase of this transitional process, although they faced immediate skepticism from significant segments of the political spectrum, particularly the opposition, which raised concerns over electoral integrity and the possibility of its outcomes mirroring previous disputed votes.

The recent parliamentary elections in Chad, while yielding a decisive victory for the ruling party, have also spotlighted the ongoing political tensions in the country. The absence of major opposition participation raises critical questions about the electoral process’s credibility. As Chad navigates complex security challenges and seeks to embrace democratic reforms, the implications of this election may significantly influence its political landscape moving forward.

Original Source: www.euronews.com