As election preparations are underway in Chad, the national electoral commission and relevant authorities need to enforce strict consequences when political candidates fail to adhere to the country’s electoral code.
Development Diaries reports that the country’s opposition candidates are lamenting bias with respect to a level playing field in the pre-election processes.
According to a report by Voice of Nigeria (VON), even though the official commencement of the presidential election campaigns is still a few weeks away, the billboards and posters endorsing the candidatures of Prime Minister Succes Masra and junta commander, President Mahamat Deby, are already up.
It is understood that campaigning is to start on 14 April, with the election day itself on 06 May, 2024, according to the election authorities.
The issue, however, is that the early campaigns would give the junta leader, President Deby, and his premier 35 days of vote-hunting instead of the 21 days stipulated in the code.
There are obvious worries that the credibility of the May exercise is being undermined by the unfair advantage given to the opposition candidates.
More worrisome is the fact that the country’s electoral commission is unable to identify the perpetrators of this violation of the electoral code.
Transparency in the electoral process should be upheld, ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly and held accountable for their actions.
In accordance with Chad’s electoral code, political candidates are expected to adhere to a set of guidelines and requirements to participate in the electoral process.
Development Diaries calls on Chad’s electoral commission to take urgent action to ensure that all candidates adhere to the electoral code for fairness and transparency.
Also, we urge sanctions such as disqualification from the electoral process or legal penalties on those found violating the code.
Photo source: BBC