Chad’s Ruling Party Secures Majority in Boycotted Parliamentary Election
Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement party won 124 out of 188 seats in last month’s parliamentary election, with a 51.5% voter turnout, despite a boycott from major opposition parties. This election is a critical step in the country’s transition to democracy following Mahamat Idriss Deby’s military rule since 2021. Analysts suggest that this victory may reinforce Deby’s political power amid ongoing security challenges.
In a parliamentary election held last month, Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement, secured a majority of the seats, winning 124 out of 188 in what was the country’s first legislative election in over a decade. This vote, which experienced a turnout of 51.5%, proceeded amidst a boycott by the principal opposition parties, including the prominent Transformers party led by Succes Masra. Analysts suggest that these results may significantly bolster President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s power as he transitions Chad towards a more decentralized governance structure, a promise he emphasized to the Chadian populace.
This election forms a crucial part of Chad’s democratic transition following the military takeover by Mahamat Idriss Deby in 2021, succeeding his late father, long-serving President Idriss Deby Itno. The backdrop of this election highlights ongoing security struggles faced by Chad, including threats from Boko Haram and a shift in relations with France, a historically key ally.
The recent parliamentary election in Chad marks a significant political event, following over a decade without such elections under the former regime of Idriss Deby Itno. The election is part of a transition initiated after Mahamat Idriss Deby took control in 2021. President Deby aims to establish a new governmental framework that devolves power to regional and municipal levels, amidst an atmosphere of skepticism from the opposition parties regarding the election’s integrity and credibility, particularly referencing previous electoral disputes that have cast doubt on the electoral process.
The parliamentary election results solidify the Patriotic Salvation Movement’s dominance and potentially enhance President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s influence in Chad. The boycott by key opposition parties underscores a lack of confidence in the electoral process, echoing concerns voiced during the controversial presidential elections. As Chad seeks to stabilize under Deby’s rule, the nation grapples with significant security and diplomatic challenges that may influence its future governance and socio-political climate.
Original Source: www.mymotherlode.com
