Chad holds presidential vote to end military rule

By Anadolu staff

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Chadians headed to the polls on Monday to elect a new president to end a three-year transition to democratic rule.

At least 8.2 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots at more than 26,500 polling stations, according to the National Election Management Agency (ANGE).

The election authority is expected to announce the provisional results on May 21 and the final results will be shared by the Constitutional Council on June 5.

A team of observers from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are among those monitoring the election.

Voters are to choose between 10 candidates, including transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby.

So far, Deby and Prime Minister Succes Masra are the favorites.

Deby seized power in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who died on the frontline of a war against rebels after ruling for 30 years.

The younger Deby had pledged to hand over power to an elected government after 18 months -- a deadline that was missed -- before postponing elections to this year.

He is running on the ticket of the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) party, founded by his father, after a new Constitution adopted following a referendum allowed him to seek election.

Deby also enjoys the backing of a coalition of over 200 parties.