May 6, 2024 Presidential Election in Chad: Part 1

Revisiting the Countdown to Election Day in Chad

An election marred by several irregularities and anti-democratic practices unfolded in Chad on May 6, 2024. Both the President and the Prime Minister of the Transitional Government were candidates in the presidential election. General Mahamat Derby Itno, President of the Transition, exerted control over the Constitutional Council and the National Agency for Management of Elections in Chad. The last two presidential elections in Chad occurred under two different constitutions, as the country adopted two new constitutions within six years.

Transition of Power and Constitutional Changes

The presidential election, meant to return Chad to civilian rule, was conducted under a new Constitution adopted last year through a referendum. General Mahamat Derby Itno, who replaced his late father, President Idris Derby Itno, led the Government of Transition that enacted this Constitution. Idris Derby Itno was killed in April 2021, allegedly by the rebel group FACT during a visit to Government troops on the frontline in the north.

The previous Constitution, introduced by President Idris Derby Itno’s regime in 2018, was in force during the last presidential election in 2020. However, following his death, General Mahamat Derby Itno and the Transitional Military Council sidelined this Constitution and took over power. The 2018 Constitution had stipulated that in the event of a presidential vacancy, the President of the National Assembly would become Interim President. Ignoring this, General Mahamat Derby Itno dissolved both the Government and Parliament.

New Constitutional Provisions

The new Constitution under which the May 6, 2024, presidential election was conducted established a two-round presidential system. If no candidate wins over 50% of the votes in the first round, a second round is held between the top two candidates. However, General Mahamat Derby Itno, controversially a candidate, was declared the winner with 61.03% of the vote in the first round.

The new Constitution also limits the presidential mandate to five years, renewable once, capping the total presidency at 10 years.

Failed Transition to Civilian Rule

The May 6 election was supposed to mark the transition to civilian rule. The President of the Transition, General Mahamat Derby Itno, and his Government were expected to hand over power to a democratically elected civilian President. Instead, General Mahamat Derby Itno became a candidate, following a pattern set by his late father, who similarly transitioned from military to civilian rule and secured his presidency in an election that was essentially a façade of democracy.

Prime Minister’s Candidacy and Election Irregularities

Adding to the irregularities, Prime Minister Succes Masra, appointed by General Mahamat Derby Itno on January 1, 2024, also became a candidate in the election. This meant that both the President of the Transition and the Prime Minister were candidates in an election meant to end their transitional rule—an anti-democratic scenario.

The Constitutional Council validated the candidacies of General Mahamat Derby Itno, Succes Masra, and Saleh Kebzabo, the former Prime Minister. However, the Council controversially disqualified 10 candidates, mostly from the opposition, while maintaining pro-Derby Itno candidates.

Premature Campaigning and Opposition Concerns

Campaigning for the May 6 election was set to begin on April 14 but started illegally on April 1. Campaign teams for General Mahamat Derby Itno and Succes Masra began plastering posters across the capital and other towns two weeks early. Although the National Agency for the Management of Elections called for the removal of these posters, the directive was ignored, revealing the agency’s inability to enforce electoral law against high-ranking candidates.

Election-Year Incentives and Opposition Criticism

In March 2024, the Chadian Government announced free water and electricity for the population until the end of the year. The opposition criticized this as a ploy to gain political favor, questioning why these benefits couldn’t be made permanent. They pointed out that most Chadians, particularly in rural areas, lack access to potable water and electricity, making the government’s offer ineffective for the impoverished majority.