This Sunday, April 11, Chad will vote in the presidential election. Seven candidates are running, including President Idriss Déby, who has been in power for 30 years and is seeking a sixth term. Some polling stations have already opened this Saturday for soldiers and nomads who vote in advance.
With our special correspondent in Ndjamena, Alexandra Brangeon
The polling stations opened at 06.00 to 17.00 this Saturday for the police and the military so that they can ensure security during tomorrow’s vote. In Ndjamena, 115 polling stations were designated for them.
In an office in the 2nd arrondissement very close to the presidency and the police station, the president of the capital Ceni congratulated himself on the discipline observed this morning by these soldiers who stood in line and wore a mask even before the offices opened … Only the downside, he said , there was no social distancing.
The nomads have two days to vote, because they are always on the go and it is difficult to group them in one day, we explained to Ceni, especially since they are many: they represent one tenth of the voters, according to an analyst. It is also about a electorate that follows the campaign a bit and that tends to follow the votes of the clan chiefs, explains another. Offices are reserved for them in five departments in the north of the country.
Youth participation, one of the challenges of the vote
One of the challenges with this election will be participation, and in particular young people representing about 60% of the Chadian population. According to several analysts, young people are increasingly critical of power, especially young academics who cannot find work and who do what they call “odd jobs”.
Reactions from young people gathered on the streets of Ndjamena
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