Chad’s Ruling Party Secures Majority in Parliamentary Elections While Opposition Boycotts

Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement won a majority in the parliamentary elections, securing 124 of 188 seats, while significant opposition parties boycotted the elections. The voter turnout was reported at 51.5%. This election marks a significant moment in Chad’s transition to democracy under President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who has faced ongoing security issues and a tarnished electoral credibility.

In Chad’s recent parliamentary elections, the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (PSM) emerged with a clear majority, winning 124 out of 188 available seats. These elections, which took place after more than a decade, experienced a voter turnout of 51.5%, according to provisional results released by Ahmed Bartchiret, the electoral commission head. The lack of participation from significant opposition parties, which boycotted the elections, has strengthened President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s hold on power. This electoral event is widely perceived as a critical step in Chad’s transition to democracy following Deby’s ascension as a military ruler in 2021 after the death of his father, long-term president Idriss Deby Itno.

Chad has faced ongoing political challenges and security threats, including attacks from Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region and strained relations with its former ally, France. The parliamentary election is seen as pivotal, representing the final phase of a promised democratic transition initiated by President Mahamat Idriss Deby. The elections included not only parliamentary seats but also regional and municipal posts. The boycott by ten opposition parties, including the prominent Transformers party, raised concerns regarding the elections’ legitimacy, echoing sentiments from the disputed presidential elections of the previous year.

The parliamentary election results reflect a consolidation of power for President Mahamat Idriss Deby, largely due to the absence of robust opposition participation. The winning of 124 seats by the ruling party amidst a voter turnout of over 51% suggests a controlled political environment. As Chad faces pressing security challenges, the implications of these election results on the nation’s political landscape and social stability will be closely observed in the coming months.

Original Source: www.euronews.com