Chad’s high-stake presidential vote marred by ‘threats and violence’, excluded EU-funded observers

As counting began on Monday (6 May) evening in Chad for a presidential election intended to put an end to three-year military rule, the ballot itself was reportedly marred by irregularities, with the opposition condemning violence and threats against their leaders and supporters.
The presidential election, which featured 10 candidates, including one woman, evolved into an unprecedented showdown between the junta leader, General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, and his Prime Minister Succès Masra, a former opposition figure turned ally. The latter’s party, The Transformers, on Wednesday (8 May) condemned violence and threats against 40-year-old economist, who was allegedly under “surveillance” and faced “threats to his safety”. The party also reported threats against Masra’s supporters, and alleged electoral fraud. Masra had, however, ramped up considerable support in recent weeks and could force a second round of voting, scheduled for 22 June.
Meanwhile, some observers reportedly faced accreditation challenges, with no explanation given for the refusals, according to the Citizens’ Alliance for Elections, a monitoring platform. Brussels on Tuesday (7 May) condemned the failure by Chad’s junta-controlled authorities to allow nearly 3,000 civil society members financed by the EU to observe the presidential election. The opposition had called for a boycott, dismissing Monday’s ballot as fixed, while international rights groups had warned that the vote was not expected to be free or fair after a crackdown on the opposition. Four civil society associations have slammed Deby-appointed electoral commission for refusing to accredit 2,900 of their representatives as voting observers. “The EU in Chad condemns the non-accreditation of these civil society organizations,” the EU said on Facebook. Official election results are expected on 21 May.