Gabon: Elections commission validates 19 candidates for August presidential polls

Nineteen candidates will run for August 26 presidential elections in Gabon, up from 27 bids received by the country’s Center of Elections (CGE).

The CGE, led by Michel Stéphane Bonda, Sunday unveiled the roaster of final candidates to seek the country’s top job, “Gabon Review” reports.

The Center disqualified 8 candidates after receiving 27 bids after the July 16 deadline. The institution however did not provide reasons why 8 candidates were turned down.

The 19 validated candidates include incumbent Ali Bongo Odimba seeking a third term in office. He has been at the helm of the country since 2009, following the death of his father Omar Bongo.

Ali Bongo announced his candidacy on July 9 and promised to do better than the 14 years he ran the country. The opposition questioned his fitness to run the nation after he suffered a stroke in 2018 and spent months out of the public’s sight recovering.

Gabonese will also elect on August 26 lawmakers and mayors.