As Gabon prepares for a series of presidential, legislative and local elections scheduled for August 26, the opposition is expressing concern about the transparency and organization of these polls. Five candidates from the Alternance 2023 platform went to the offices of the representative of the UN Secretary General in Central Africa to share their concerns. According to them, recent changes to the electoral code have cast doubt on the fairness of the electoral process.
Among the changes to the electoral code that have sparked outrage from the opposition is the merging of presidential and legislative elections into a single package. Opposition candidates believe that this merger undermines democratic principles and renders the electoral process opaque.
Faced with these concerns, the UN representative in Central Africa promised to also receive the presidential majority and civil society in order to assess the situation. The main objective of the UN is to maintain peace and stability in Gabon, by ensuring the security of people and property during the electoral period.
Meanwhile, the Gabonese Elections Center continues to prepare for the August 26 elections. He invited all candidates to validate their ballots before printing them. However, the opposition remains concerned about the lack of transparency in the electoral process and continues to advocate for free and fair elections.
In the meantime, the Gabonese opposition is struggling to appoint a single candidate to face outgoing President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Negotiations are ongoing, and in the meantime, the Les Démocrates party has teamed up with Paulette Missambo of the Union Nationale. This alliance aims to strengthen the chances of the opposition to win the elections and to allow real political change in Gabon.
In conclusion, the elections in Gabon raise concerns about their transparency and organization. The opposition expresses its concerns about changes to the electoral code and pleads for free and fair elections. The role of the United Nations as mediator in the electoral process is crucial to ensuring peace and stability in the country. In the meantime, the opposition is trying to come together and present a united front against the outgoing president. Gabon’s political future will be determined by the conduct of these elections and by the will of the Gabonese people to effect meaningful political change