Vote counting commences in Chad after Sunday controversial referendum

Counting of ballots have commenced in Chad after polls closed on Sunday in a disputed referendum on a new constitution organised by the military junta.

The referendum is a key step toward transitioning the country to constitutional rule next year, but it is largely perceived as a power grab by the military-led government.

It comes after more than a year of harsh repression of pro-democracy protesters.

Some opposition parties and civil society organizations campaigned for the referendum to be boycotted due to a lack of transparency and justice in the process.

They argued that the vote may further entrench the influence of the head of the junta,late President Deby’s son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, who had previously extended a promised 18-month transition to democracy.

Not less than 8 million Chadians are registered to vote in the referendum, with provisional results expected to be announced on Sunday.

The outcome of the referendum would pave the way for general elections late next year.

Chad is one of the eight countries in West and Central Africa where military authorities have seized power, raising fears of a democratic retrogression in the region.

Decades of unrest and mismanagement have impeded progress in the oil-producing central African country, where over 40% of its 16 million residents rely on humanitarian assistance.