Chad experienced a crucial moment last Sunday with the holding of a referendum, marked by both calls for massive participation and widespread controversy. The referendum aims to decide on a new Constitution, seen as a crucial step towards holding elections and restoring civilian rule, a promise made two and a half years ago by the military junta but postponed until the end of the year 2024.
Despite the controversy, the “yes” vote appears to be winning. The military orchestrated a well-financed campaign and even obtained the support of one of its main opponents, Succès Masra, president of the opposition party The Transformers, who advocates a “yes” vote.
“I asked Chadians to make a simple choice. I believe that within each organization (political parties and associations), there are those who are for a federal state and those who are for a unitary state, and in my party too, there is. Anyway, when the day comes, everyone will have to face their own conscience and their ballot paper,” Success Masra said.
This endorsement comes at a time when the opposition is visibly divided and has faced severe repression for more than a year in Chad, ranked as the second least developed country in the world according to the UN.
Voting began when polling stations opened at 07:00 (06:00 GMT) and the counting process began after polls closed at 17:00 (16:00 GMT). Some polling stations extended the voting time beyond the announced time.
Official provisional results are expected to be announced on December 24, with the Supreme Court tasked with validating the results on December 28.