Chadians took to the polls on Monday to participate in a presidential election marred by controversy and opposition accusations of electoral manipulation.

The election, purportedly aimed at transitioning the country away from military rule, has drawn skepticism from critics who view it as an attempt to solidify decades of Deby family dominance in Chad’s political landscape.

Incumbent junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby seeks to extend the family’s rule, facing off against his own prime minister, Succes Masra, who is perceived by some as a token challenger.

Critics have raised concerns over the fairness of the election, highlighting the absence of credible alternatives and citing instances of violence and suppression targeting opposition figures.

Generals named Deby transition leader in 2021 when his father, longtime president Idriss Deby Itno, was killed in a gun battle with rebels after 30 years in power.

Known by his initials as MIDI, and “the Man in Dark Glasses”, Mahamat promised an 18-month transition to democracy, but later extended it by two years.

Opposition figures have since fled, been silenced or joined forces with Deby, while the junta has eliminated any attempts by civil society to campaign against it.

On October 20, 2022, the army and police opened fire on demonstrators protesting the transition extension, including members of Masra’s party, the Transformers.

At least 300 young people died according to international NGOs, or about 50 according to the regime.

Deby’s cousin and chief election rival Yaya Dillo Djerou was shot point-blank in the head in an army assault on February 28, according to his party.

Masra was among the opponents driven out of the country but later returned and was named prime minister in January.

The eight other candidates, either little known or considered not hostile to the regime, are not expected to win many votes.

The junta’s grip on power has intensified, with opposition voices silenced or co-opted, and attempts by civil society to challenge the regime stifled.

The run-up to the election has been fraught with controversy, including the exclusion of prominent rivals from the ballot and allegations of electoral irregularities.

International observers have expressed skepticism about the credibility of the electoral process, citing restricted access to vote tallies and concerns over the impartiality of electoral bodies.

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) warned on Friday that the election appeared “neither credible, free nor democratic”.

It noted “increasing human rights violations” in the country, including Dillo’s killing.

The International Crisis Group (ICG) warned that “a number of problems in the run-up to the balloting cast doubt on its credibility”.

These include measures that allow officials to publish only regional tallies of votes rather than posting the results at individual polling stations — making it impossible for observers to verify the vote-count.

ICG also cited the decision by Chad’s Constitutional Council to exclude 10 rival candidates from the vote in Deby strongholds.

As for Masra, it said: “A significant proportion of his constituency now considers him to have become a stooge of those in power” — though some analysts have said Masra may be genuinely aiming to become president.

ICG and FIDH called into question the independence of the council and another key electoral body, the National Election Management Agency (ANGE).

Despite the challenges and skepticism surrounding the election, more than 8.2 million Chadians have registered to cast their votes, including a significant number of first-time voters.

For many, the election represents an opportunity to shape the country’s future and address pressing issues such as poverty, infrastructure, and education.

As voting stations opened across Chad, citizens faced a choice between continuity under the Deby dynasty or a potential change represented by Masra.

Voting stations across Chad’s vast largely desert territory will open from 6:00 am (0500 GMT) to 5:00 pm (1600 GMT).

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