Chadians will today, Monday, May 6 vote in a presidential election, the first since three years of military administration in the country. The election is expected to usher in democratically elected president.
Recall that General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who seized power in 2021, suspended the the Chadian Constitution. He was thereafter installed as the President of the Transitional Military Council. But three years after the Head of the military junta is planning to transit into a civilian president.
According to report, Itno is the favourite among the 10 candidates for the election.
The 40-year-old became Chadian leader when his father, who had repressively ruled Chad since 1990, died from wounds suffered on the front line. The former President had visited troops who were battling rebels in the northern part of the country. And during the visit he sustained gun wound.
Recall that the Chad, a country of around 19 million people has never experienced a peaceful transfer of power since its independence. Chad got her independence from its former colonial power France in 1960.
Upon taking over power in 2021, Itno promised that his presidency was only a temporary placeholder. He had promised his people a transitional arrangement that will produce a new democratic government.
While the whole world awaits the outcome of the election, opposition fears that the election will be fair.
Recall that the military junta has continually crushed opposition demonstrations. Also, voters and observers alike doubt that the election will be fair.
