Chad is set to become the first of Africa’s current junta-led states to move to democratic rule with Monday’s presidential vote. It will end a three-year transition imposed after the sudden death of long-serving leader Idriss Déby Itno while fighting rebels.
But as his son, and successor, Gen Mahamat Déby is one of the favourites to win, there is some scepticism about whether this will bring about change.
Prime Minister Succès Masra is among his nine challengers and is seen as his biggest rival.
The start of voting was marked by delays, with polls opening an hour behind schedule in some areas.
President Déby kicked off the exercise by casting his ballot in the capital, N’Djamena.
He said he was proud to have fulfilled his promise to respect the deadline for “elections that will signal a return to constitutional order.” Ten politicians who had been hoping to run, including two prominent figures, Nassour Ibrahim Neguy Koursami and Rakhis Ahmat Saleh, were excluded by the constitutional council because of “irregularities”. For example, Mr Koursami was accused of forgery.
But some have argued that the decision to bar certain people was politically motivated.
Credit: bbc.com
