Justin Doua, a political analyst and senior electoral expert at the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), described the elections as "generally peaceful" but noted a lack of inclusivity due to prominent opposition boycotts.  

Doua highlighted that the Transformateurs, a leading political party, alongside other opposition groups, chose to abstain from the polls, resulting in what he described as an election that was "not very participatory and not very inclusive." Despite these challenges, Chad’s election management body has dismissed the boycott claims, asserting that vote counting will continue, with results set to be announced by January 15.  

The elections were seen as a pivotal moment in Chad’s political trajectory, marking the end of a three-year transition period following the death of longtime President Idriss Déby Itno in April 2021. The transition was intended to culminate in a democratic process, yet Doua observed that the outcomes might deepen divisions rather than foster social cohesion. "We were expecting this election to build social cohesion with a parliament containing many parties, but unfortunately, this election will leave the country more divided than earlier," he said.  

When asked about potential unrest, Doua expressed skepticism about the likelihood of street demonstrations, citing the government’s heavy-handed approach to dissent. "In Chad, it's not easy, and the government is very heavy-handed in dealing with such demonstrations," he explained.  

Looking ahead, Doua emphasized the need for political dialogue between the government and opposition parties. While the opposition’s boycott highlighted their discontent, Doua suggested that open discussions could pave the way for reconciliation. "There is always room for accommodation when political dialogue starts. It's possible that from this dialogue, the government can be open to the political parties that called for the boycott," he stated.  

This election also held broader regional implications. Doua noted its importance in advancing Chad’s decentralization efforts, with communal and provincial elections aimed at strengthening local governance. "These elections are important for people because they will have their own local authority to deal with their local affairs," he remarked.  

--ChannelAfrica--