Chad is planning to hold the presidential elections on May 6. Ahead of the vote, Sputnik Africa explains in general terms how Chad's electoral system works:
The president is elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term, renewable once;
The candidate who wins an absolute majority of votes in the first round is elected. Otherwise, a second round is held on the second following Sunday between the top two candidates;
Chadian citizens of both sexes may apply, provided that they meet the list of requirements;
The Constitutional Council has selected 10 candidates for the first round, scheduled for May 6;
The candidate pays a deposit of 10 million CFA francs, which will be refunded if he receives at least 10% of the votes in the first round;
The announcement of the final results by the Constitutional Council is scheduled for June 5.
As for the political context:
Chad's former president, Idriss Déby Itno, died in April 2021 from wounds sustained while fighting rebels in the north of the country;
The military announced the dissolution of parliament and the government and the creation of a 15-member transitional military council to govern the country;
The authority will be headed by General Mahamat Idriss Deby, 37, the son of the late president. On October 8, 2022, the military council was dissolved and Mahamat Idriss Deby was proclaimed interim president.