Chad’s Governing Party Wins Majority in Boycotted Parliamentary Election, Opposition Doubts Validity

Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), led by President Mahamat Idriss Deby, has won a commanding majority in the country’s parliamentary elections held on December 29, 2024, according to provisional results announced on Saturday. The MPS secured 124 out of the 188 seats in the National Assembly, marking a decisive victory in a contest that was largely boycotted by opposition parties.
The electoral commission’s head, Ahmed Bartchiret, confirmed the results, revealing that voter participation stood at 51.56 percent. However, opposition parties have raised concerns about the legitimacy of the election, arguing that the relatively low turnout reflected widespread public skepticism regarding the fairness and transparency of the process.
The December election was touted by President Deby’s government as the final step in Chad’s transition to democracy, a process that began after Mahamat Idriss Deby assumed power in 2021 following the death of his father, longtime President Idriss Deby Itno. The elder Deby had ruled Chad for three decades before his sudden death while on the frontlines of a military campaign. Mahamat Deby went on to win a disputed presidential vote in 2024, further consolidating his hold on power.
While the election also included municipal and regional races, it was the first national election Chad had held in more than ten years. Mahamat Deby has framed the vote as an important milestone in Chad’s democratization process, with promises of decentralization and greater local governance. “This election paves the way for the era of decentralization so long-awaited and desired by the Chadian people,” Deby said, referring to plans to redistribute power from the central government to provincial and municipal levels.
Despite the government’s claims of progress, the election’s legitimacy has been questioned due to the opposition boycott and allegations of political repression. Critics argue that the low participation rate and the exclusion of opposition voices from the electoral process have undermined the credibility of the elections, casting doubt on the future of Chad’s democratic transition.
The situation remains tense as Chad moves forward with its political reforms, with both internal and external observers closely monitoring the country’s path toward greater political inclusivity and stability.