Chad Opposition Denounces Corrupt Electoral Register and Demands Free Elections

Around 15 opposition parties in Chad have denounced the country’s electoral register as "corrupt" and raised concerns over the transparency of the upcoming legislative elections, scheduled for December 29.
 
On Sunday, October 13, opposition leaders stated that there are no guarantees that the elections will be free and fair, casting doubt on the integrity of the entire process.
 
Candidates are allowed to submit their applications between October 19 and 28, but the opposition parties, which are not part of the transitional government and hold no seats in any official institutions, are calling for more transparency.
 
In a bold move, they urged the Chadian people to implement an "electoral blockade" to protest what they see as a rigged system from the outset.
 
The opposition claims that the electoral register is manipulated by the government, preventing a fair and balanced participation of all political groups. Without proper oversight and transparency, opposition leaders fear that the election results are already compromised.
 
Succès Masra’s party, led by the former prime minister and a prominent opposition figure, has yet to announce its strategy but is expected to take a strong stance in the coming weeks.
 
The December 29 elections will take place just months after the enactment of a new law defining the composition of the new parliament. The last time Chadians voted in a parliamentary election was in 2011.
 
Since then, various crises—including the jihadist threat, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the political transition following the death of former President Idriss Déby in 2021—have repeatedly delayed the elections.
 
Déby ruled Chad for more than three decades before being killed in combat in April 2021. His son, Mahamat Idriss Déby, took over and has since led a transitional government intended to guide the country toward new elections.
 
However, many opposition parties have questioned the legitimacy of the transition and the way the current government is handling the electoral process.
 
In light of these concerns, Chad’s opposition continues to push for greater transparency to ensure that the elections are genuinely free and democratic. 

They have called on the international community and human rights organizations to closely monitor the electoral process to ensure Chadians can exercise their right to vote without interference.
 
With less than three months remaining before the elections, the political climate in Chad is increasingly tense, and the opposition’s next steps will be crucial in shaping the country’s future.
 
The international community is also closely watching, as Chad’s stability is vital for regional security, particularly given the growing jihadist threat in the Sahel region.
 
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