Chad’s state election body has announced that interim president Mahamat Idriss Déby secured victory in the presidential election held on May 6, winning over 60 percent of the vote, according to provisional results. However, his main challenger, Prime Minister Succès Masra, contested the outcome and declared himself the winner, alleging manipulation of the election results.
The electoral commission disclosed that Déby defeated Masra, who received only 18.53 percent of the vote. The final results are subject to confirmation by the Constitutional Council.
Masra had earlier proclaimed victory, accusing the election authorities of tampering with the results to favour Déby.
Idriss Déby assumed the role of transitional president in 2021 following the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, who had governed Chad for three decades with authoritarian control until his demise in a clash with rebels.
Initially pledging an 18-month transition to democracy, Déby later extended the transitional period by two years.
In the lead-up to the election, opposition voices were suppressed, leading to the flight of some figures, while others were silenced or compelled to align with Déby.
Déby’s cousin and primary election rival, Yaya Dillo Djérou, was allegedly shot at close range in the head during a military assault on February 28, as reported by his party.
Various human rights organisations, including the International Federation for Human Rights and the International Crisis Group, expressed concerns about the credibility and fairness of the election, citing issues such as a lack of transparency and democratic principles.