Chad’s Ruling Party Wins Parliamentary Majority Amid Opposition Boycott

Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement won 124 out of 188 seats in a parliamentary election boycotted by the main opposition. Voter turnout was 51.5%. This election was part of a transition to democracy following Mahamat Idriss Deby’s military takeover in 2021 after his father’s death. The main opposition parties criticized the election as not credible.

Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), has secured a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections held last month, obtaining 124 out of 188 seats, as per provisional results. This election marked the first parliamentary contest in the country in over ten years; however, it was boycotted by the principal opposition parties. The voter turnout recorded was 51.5%, according to Ahmed Bartchiret, the electoral commission head. Analysts have indicated that the results will further entrench President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s political authority. The elections were presented as a significant step towards decentralization after Deby assumed power in 2021 following the death of his father, long-serving President Idriss Deby Itno.

Chad has faced numerous challenges in its political landscape following the military takeover by Mahamat Idriss Deby in 2021. His rise to power came after the death of his father, who ruled for thirty years. The recent parliamentary elections were designed to facilitate a transition towards democracy, allowing for regional and municipal elections alongside the parliamentary vote. However, the political atmosphere remains tense, especially with various opposition groups labeling the elections a mere formality rather than a genuine democratic process.

In conclusion, the ruling party’s overwhelming victory in the parliamentary elections signifies a consolidation of power for Mahamat Idriss Deby amid a backdrop of political unrest and opposition boycott. The election’s legitimacy remains in question as several opposition parties perceived the process as lacking credibility. This electoral outcome, alongside the country’s ongoing security concerns, raises critical questions about Chad’s future political trajectory and governance.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com