Title: Gabon: the controversy over the new ballot paper persists
Introduction :
In Gabon, the climate of protest continues to intensify following the presentation of the new ballot paper for the general elections scheduled for August 26. The Gabonese Elections Center (CGE) has faced strong criticism over this new ballot format, which includes both the presidential candidate and the legislative candidate from the same party. As the country prepares for a historic triple ballot, the question of the validity of this ballot ended up before the Constitutional Court, sparking numerous debates and stoking political tensions.
The opposition denounces a threat to the election:
Since the announcement of the new ballot paper, numerous appeals have been filed with the Constitutional Court by political parties and candidates, seeking to invalidate the decree establishing this new tool. According to them, this ballot jeopardizes the electoral process, by disrupting the voting systems and creating inequality between candidates and voters. For Maître Anges Nzigou, candidate for the legislative elections, this bulletin is even qualified as an instrument of fraud and represents a democratic catastrophe.
A savings and simplification tool for the CGE:
For its part, the CGE defends this new ballot format by presenting it as a real innovation. According to the body in charge of organizing the vote, this sheet of paper will save money and facilitate voting operations by grouping candidates from the same party on a single ballot. This is a measure aimed at unclogging the polling stations, but which is strongly contested by the opposition.
The decision of the Constitutional Court:
The Constitutional Court of Gabon is currently in deliberation to decide on the validity of this new ballot paper. This decision, which will be rendered in the coming days, will have a significant impact on the conduct of the general elections. If the Court validates the ballot, it could lead to increased opposition discontent and fuel political tensions in the country. On the other hand, if the ballot is deemed invalid, this could lead to a revision of the electoral process and spark new debates on the legitimacy of the ballot.
Conclusion :
In Gabon, the protest against the new ballot paper does not weaken and continues to fuel political tensions as the general elections approach. While the opposition denounces a threat to the election and calls for its invalidation, the CGE defends this measure as an innovation aimed at facilitating voting and saving money