Chad’s Ruling Party Dominates Parliamentary Elections Amid Opposition Boycott

Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement party won the majority in the parliamentary elections, securing 124 of 188 seats amid a 51.5% voter turnout. The election was boycotted by prominent opposition parties who criticized its legitimacy. This election is part of the country’s purported transition to democracy under President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who governs following his father’s long tenure and has faced various security challenges post-election.

Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement, has secured a significant majority in the recent parliamentary elections, gaining 124 out of 188 contested seats. The elections, which witnessed a voter turnout of 51.5%, were characterized by the absence of a strong opposition due to a boycott by over ten opposition parties, including the prominent Transformers party. Despite criticisms that labeled the elections a “charade,” officials frame it as a crucial step towards democratic governance in Chad following the rule of Mahamat Idriss Deby, who ascended to power amid political transition post the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, a longstanding leader.

This parliamentary election marks Chad’s first in over a decade and occurs during a complex transformation period following the military ascendency of Mahamat Idriss Deby in 2021. The transition was triggered by the death of his father, who dominated the political landscape for thirty years. Observers note that the ruling party’s victory amid an uncompetitive electoral environment underscores President Deby’s strengthened political dominance and aspirations for decentralization, amidst persistent security challenges within the country.

The recent parliamentary elections in Chad reveal a consolidation of power by President Mahamat Idriss Deby and his ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement. With main opposition parties boycotting the elections, the legitimacy of the electoral process remains under scrutiny. Nevertheless, Deby’s administration insists that these elections are pivotal for advancing democratic decentralization in Chad, even as the nation grapples with significant security threats.

Original Source: www.euronews.com