Kingibe calls for peace as Chadians vote for new president

The special envoy to Chad of the heads and governments of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, has called for a peaceful presidential election in Chad.

He made the call on Sunday in a statement he personally signed in N’Djamena and made available to the press.

Kingibe said: “I call on all the Presidential candidates, the Political Parties and leaders, and the general public to maintain the relative peace and good order demonstrated during the campaigns, continue to remain calm, and after the voting, patiently await the announcement of the outcome of the elections by the ANGE, the body legally authorized to announce the results.

“I further urge that any challenges, complaints or grievances that may arise are taken up peacefully for settlement through the constituted electoral guidelines and laws, or if necessary, the judicial processes.

“The alternative is to risk the tremendous progress and the fruits of the great sacrifices already made by all parties.”

Candidates in Chad delivered their final campaigning messages on Saturday ahead of the country’s first presidential vote since the death of long-time ruler Idriss Deby.

A total of 10 candidates are vying for the country’s top job. Prominent among them are Chad’s transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and his Prime Minister Succes Masra.

Some opposition and civil society groups have called for a boycott of the vote.

The Chadian security personnel began casting their votes on Sunday ahead of the country’s presidential election slated for Monday.

Chadians out of the country are also voting on Sunday, according to the National Elections Management Agency (ANGE) of Chad.

The voting began at 6 am local time when soldiers and policemen lined up to cast their ballots at polling centres in the Chadian capital of N’Djamena and several other cities.

Polling stations open at seven on Monday morning.

Results are expected on 21 May, with a possible second round on 22 June.

Chad is the first in a string of countries in the region which experienced coups in the past four years, to hold elections.