Chad’s Interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby and the newly-appointed prime minister are among ten cleared candidates for the forthcoming presidential poll.
Chad’s Constitutional Council has scheduled the presidential election for May 2024 as part of a transition to civilian rule, from the current military government.
Deby had promised an 18-month transition to elections after seizing power in 2021, following his long-ruling father’s demise.
His government later postponed elections until 2024 and allowed him to run for president, triggering protests that were violently quelled by security forces.
Three months ago, Chadians voted in favour of a new constitution that critics said could help cement Deby’s hold on power as it allowed him to run for the presidency.
Deby confirmed his intention to run earlier in March.
The contestants cleared also include opposition leader Succes Masra, appointed as prime minister of the transitional government in January.
It is the first time is Chad’s history that a president and a prime minister will face each other in a presidential poll.
Masra was a strong opponent of Chad’s military, before fleeing the country after dozens were killed when security forces cracked down on protesters in the capital, N’Djamena in October 2022.
Electorates are expected to file out for elections on May 6, with a second round on June 22. Provisional results are expected to be announced by July 7.
Chad is the first of transitional authorities to organise elections in recent times.
