Chad’s main opposition candidate files bid to nullify presidential election

Chad’s interim Prime Minister, Succès Masra, has announced that he has filed a petition at the Constitutional Council contesting the preliminary results of the just-concluded presidential election in the country.

Mr Masra, who was seen as the main opponent, alleged that he was the actual winner of the polls instead of General Mahamat Déby, who was declared the winner with 61% of the vote.

He announced through a social media post on Sunday that he has submitted a request to the Constitutional Council to reveal the truth of the ballot boxes with the help of his lawyers.

The opposition politician and his party called for the election to be cancelled, alleging that ballot boxes were stuffed, while others were snatched away by soldiers to be counted elsewhere.

His Transformer party further alleged that some of their members were arrested while his supporters and their presidential aspirant were threatened.

Despite the heated political atmosphere in Chad, Mr Masra appealed to his supporters to remain “peaceful for the sake of the nation” while insisting that “the change you want to see cannot happen in a destroyed country.”

Chad is the first country in West and Central Africa where the military has seized control in recent years to hold elections and restore civilian authority.

Following his emergence, the newly elected president, who came in through a bloodless military coup, promised to serve all Chadians, especially those who voted for him, and to serve as president for those who made other choices.