Chad’s Ruling Party Dominates Parliamentary Elections Amid Opposition Boycott

Chad’s ruling party won the parliamentary election with a majority amid opposition boycott. The Patriotic Salvation Movement secured 124 out of 188 seats with a voter turnout of 51.5%. This election marks Chad’s first parliamentary vote in over a decade after significant political changes following the military takeover by Mahamat Idriss Deby.

Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (PSM), has secured a significant majority in the recent parliamentary elections, obtaining 124 out of 188 available seats, as reported by the electoral commission. This election, the first in over a decade, saw a voter turnout of 51.5% despite being boycotted by the principal opposition parties, including the Transformers party, led by Succes Masra. Analysts agree that these results further consolidate President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s political authority, following his initial rise to power as a military leader in 2021 after the passing of his father, the long-time president Idriss Deby Itno.

The parliamentary elections were held as part of a larger transition towards democracy after Deby assumed control in the wake of his father’s thirty-year rule. The ruling party’s victory also brings into focus President Deby’s assertions that this election would facilitate a long-awaited shift towards decentralization and regional empowerment. However, the opposition dismissed the electoral process as a mere pretense, labeling it a “charade” amid concerns for electoral integrity.

The parliamentary elections in Chad represent a crucial step in the country’s transition to a more democratic political framework. Following the death of the former president and the subsequent military takeover by Mahamat Idriss Deby, there has been considerable scrutiny regarding the legitimacy of the electoral processes in Chad. Various opposition parties, disillusioned with the ruling regime’s conduct, decided to boycott the elections, thus impacting the legitimacy of the results. The longstanding political challenges and security issues continue to complicate Chad’s democratic journey.

In conclusion, the majority victory of the Patriotic Salvation Movement in Chad’s parliamentary elections underscores the continued dominance of the ruling party amidst an environment of opposition boycott and scrutiny over electoral validity. As President Deby pushes for decentralization, the significant absence of opposition voices raises critical questions about the state of democracy and governance in Chad.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com