The Chad citizens are voting on a new constitution on Sunday, which is a crucial step toward the elections promised by the military government.
The main issue put to the referendum is the state structure. The eight million Chadians with voting rights will have to decide whether this structure will be unitary, as the government proposes, the reports revealed.
The current draft of the constitution enshrines the principles of a unitary form of state structure and restores the post of prime minister, responsible to parliament. The presidential term of office is reduced from six to five years. No person may serve more than two consecutive terms. Fundamental human rights and freedoms are guaranteed.
Mahamat Deby, the current leader of Chad, took part in the referendum and said that each vote is a step towards the country's "stability and prosperity."
"[…] This vote is not only a personal gesture, but a strong symbol for our democracy and the future of Chad. Each ballot cast in the ballot box is one more step towards the stability and prosperity of our nation", the transitional president was quoted as saying by the local media.
However, a part of the opposition is calling for a boycott, reports said. The opposition leaders contend that the purpose of the plebiscite is to facilitate the election of the incumbent transitional president and to ensure that a "dynasty" that his late father initiated 33 years ago subsequent to a coup continues.
Deby was designated as a transitional president by the army in April 2021, following the demise of his father Idriss Deby Itno.
The release of the preliminary results is reportedly scheduled for December 28, and four days after, the Supreme Court is expected to certify their accuracy.
Chad's neighbor, Niger, is also on its way to restore democratic rule after a coup d'état that took place on July 26, when President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown and detained by his own guards, led by General Abdrahamane Tiani.
This week, Niger's military leadership approved a strategy to reinstate democratic governance, as disclosed by Robert Dussey, the foreign minister of Togo. The plan, designed to expedite the restoration of the constitutional order, will be submitted to the Economic Community of West African States for endorsement.