Chadian Election Officials Seek Military Protection Ahead of Vote

Chad's electoral commission has requested military assistance to protect election officials and candidates ahead of the country's parliamentary, local council, and regional elections on December 29. At least 8.3 million civilians have registered to vote. More than 1,000 election observers have been accredited for the polls.

Campaigns have been marred by attacks on candidates and rallies, mainly from opposition supporters using clubs and iron bars to disrupt events. The National Election Management Agency in Chad, known as ANGE, has said that campaigning for the parliamentary, local council and regional elections has been plagued by attempts to disrupt rallies and attacks on candidates and elections officials. A total of 180 political parties have nominated nearly 1,300 candidates for the country's parliamentary elections, with several thousand others contesting local council and provincial elections.

President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said that elections for Chad to fully return to civilian rule will be fair and transparent. Opposition groups quickly dismissed that claim, saying the Chadian leader wanted to rig the polls to ensure control of parliament. The elections mark the end of a three-year transitional period following the death of longtime President Idriss Deby Itno in 2021.