Chad’s electoral authority has unveiled a provisional list of candidates for the upcoming combined legislative and local elections, with several high-profile figures from the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) among those disqualified.
Notably, Mahamat Zen Bada, the MPS’s secretary general and a senior figure in the party, has been excluded from the race due to his failure to disclose a 2012 conviction for forgery and embezzlement of public funds. The National Election Management Agency (ANGE) confirmed that Zen Bada, despite receiving a presidential pardon, remains legally ineligible, as Chadian law does not erase criminal records following a pardon.
The MPS, the political party of late President Idriss Deby, has expressed its commitment to investigating the matter. A spokesperson for the party also stated that it would support any disqualified candidates who wish to appeal the decision. Appeals must be submitted within five days to the Constitutional Council.
In total, 46 candidates from 179 political parties and coalitions were disqualified from running for legislative seats. Additionally, 103 candidates from 134 parties applying for local elections were rejected. This marks the first legislative election in Chad since 2011, following a turbulent political period after the death of President Deby in 2021.
The elections, scheduled for December 29, will be closely watched as a key moment in Chad’s political transition, as President Mahamat Idriss Deby seeks to solidify his leadership amidst ongoing challenges.
