The Constitutional Council of Chad has made the definitive list of candidates for the 2024 presidential elections public. The electoral process, framed by the timetable set by the National Agency for the Management of Elections (ANGE), received candidate dossiers from the 6th to the 15th of March 2024. Of the 20 initial candidates, the Constitutional Council retained the following ten:
1. Alladoum Djarma Baltazar
2. Assyongar Masra Succès
3. Bebzouné Bongoro Theophile
4. Lydie Beassemda
5. Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno
6. Mansiri Lopsékréo
7. Mbaimon Guedmbayë Brice
8. Nasra Djimasngar
9. Pahimi Padacké Albert
10. Yacine Abderamane Sakine
Among the candidates are prominent political figures including: the transitional President, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, supported by the Tchad Uni coalition; current transitional Prime Minister Dr. Succès Masra, backed by the Justice and Equality coalition; as well as former transitional Prime Minister Pahimi Padacké Albert of the RNDT Le Réveil party.
The remarkable presence of Lydie Beassemda adds a new chapter to Chad’s electoral history with the inclusion of women in the presidential race. Under the rule of Idriss Deby’s father, pioneers such as Dorkagoum Boularangar Marthe and Lydie Beassemda took their chances. While Marthe’s attempt didn’t succeed, Lydie got off the starting blocks and finished third, just behind the unsuccessful candidate Pahimi Padacké Albert. The announcement of her second candidacy marked a decisive turning point, introducing Chadians to the idea of women competing alongside men for the country’s highest office. Kourmaji Mariam Djelar also took up the challenge by entering the presidential race under the banner of the Union Nationale pour l’Alternance au Tchad (UNAT), however, her journey was hindered by administrative obstacles. Her medical certificate, issued by foreign doctors, was deemed non-compliant, and she failed to provide essential documents such as her identity photo and her party’s logo for ballot printing.
Several candidacies were rejected due to non-compliant birth certificates, namely those of Abdelrahim Younous Ali, Mahamat Nour Moustabchir, Djimet Khamis Ahmat, Ibrahim Ahmed Koulamallah, Abderrahim Mahamat Ahmat Annour and Rakhis Ahmat Saleh. Other candidates, such as Ahmat Soubiane Hassaballah, an active member of the defense and security forces, and Djimet Clément Bagaou, a retired colonel, were not retained because they did not provide the necessary documents proving their non-active status, as required by Article 149 of the electoral code. As for Nassour Ibrahim Neguy Koursami, his candidacy was rejected because he holds several nationalities, including British, Sudanese and Chadian.
The presidential election, organized through direct universal suffrage using a two-round majority system, will see the future president elected for a five-year term, with the possibility of one consecutive re-election
The criteria to run for the office of President of the Republic are strict. As stipulated in Article 148 of the Electoral Code, candidates must comply with the following:
• Being Chadian by birth, born to Chadian parents with no nationality other than Chadian.
• Being at least thirty-five years old.
• Enjoying all civil and political rights.
• Having good physical and mental health.
• Having good morality.
• Residing in the territory of the Republic of Chad for at least one year in the last three years.
• Being available (if one is a member of the Defense and Security Forces) (Article 149).
• Paying a deposit of ten million (10,000,000) CFA francs to the Treasury, refundable if the candidate obtains at least ten percent (10%) of the votes cast in the first round (Article 152).
The presidential election, organized through direct universal suffrage using a two-round majority system, will see the future president elected for a five-year term, with the possibility of one consecutive re-election, in accordance with Articles 145 and 146 of the Electoral Code.
With the publication of the list of ten candidates for the presidential election, Chad is gearing up for an interesting electoral campaign. Each candidate will bring their vision and proposals for the country’s future, sparking passionate debates and an enriching exchange of ideas. In this context, it is essential for every citizen to actively engage in the democratic process by remaining curious and attentive to each candidate’s platform. Indeed, the electoral campaign can be likened to a dynamic market where each candidate presents their political “merchandise” to voters. It is up to the voters to determine the “merchant of choice” by expressing their voice at the ballot box and selecting the candidate whose ideas and values best align with their aspirations. In this democratic market, it is essential that voters take advantage of their sovereign power and participate in the path the country will take.
Dr Pierre Sossou is the Country Director for EISA’s Chad office.
