Voting commences in Chad as citizens set to elect president after 2021 military coup

Voting has commenced in Chad after security personnel and nomads began casting their votes on Sunday ahead of the country’s presidential election. 

The electoral umpire, the National Elections Management Agency of Chad, announced that citizens out of the country also commenced voting on Sunday.

The voting began at 6 a.m. local time when soldiers and policemen lined up to cast their ballots at polling centers in the Chadian capital of N’Djamena and several other cities.

A total of 10 candidates are racing for the country’s top job.

Among the leading candidates are Chad’s transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, and his Prime Minister, Succes Masra.

The election is coming three years after the military leader seized power in Africa’s Sahel region following a wave of coups.

Analysts believe the incumbent leader, who seized power on the day rebels assassinated his long-ruling father, Idriss Deby, in April 2021, is most likely the winner, despite his main opponent drawing larger-than-expected crowds on campaign trails.

The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for May 6, with a possible second round on June 22.

Authorities have said the presidential election is a “significant step” for a return to constitutional order in the Central African country.