The Chadian military junta chief, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has won this week’s presidential election in the first round. The result of the victory came from the announced provisional official results released on Thursday.
According to report, the Monday’s election was aimed at ending the three years of military rule in a country.
Analysts are of the view that the election is crucial to the fight against jihadism across Africa’s Sahel desert region.
Announcing the result of the poll, ANGE Electoral Commission said Itno won 61.03 per cent of votes. He defeated his Prime Minister Succes Masra who only garnered 18.53 per cent. The announced results will have to be confirmed by the Chadian Constitutional Council.
AFP journalists reported, that soldiers fired shots in the air in the capital N’Djamena out of joy and to deter protesters.
Recall that Masra had earlier claimed victory and warned Deby Itno’s team would rig the results.
“Some frightened people ran for cover or to return home after the shots. While near the Presidential Palace in central N’Djamena, Itno supporters shouted, sang and sounded car horns in celebration, AFP reporters stated.
“Supporters of Masra, a 40-year-old economist, had been holding their own ballot count in parallel to the official one. And in a speech posted on his Facebook page hours before the results were released, Masra claimed victory. He said his team’s count “establishes the victory in the first round and described that as a change over the status quo”.
“The victory is resounding and without blemish,” the opposition candidate said.
“Masra went on to say the team of Deby, who was proclaimed Transitional President three years ago by the army, would soon announce that he had won and “steal the victory from the people”.
The former opposition leader was appointed Prime Minister in January, but decided to challenge Itno in the election.
Reacting to the announced result of Derby Itno as winner of the poll, Masra urged Chadians to “mobilise peacefully to prove our victory”.
Analysts have stated that the Thursday’s announcement was a surprise. This is because the result came nearly two weeks earlier than the scheduled release date of May 21.
Itno and Masra faced eight other candidates who were either relatively unknown or considered not hostile to the regime.
According to the announced result, former Premier Albert Pahimi Padacke came third with 16.91 per cent of votes .
The election recorded a turnout of 75.89 per cent, ANGE chief Ahmed Bartchiret announced.
source: Daily Trust
