The Gabonese Ministry of the Interior will begin accepting applications for the upcoming presidential election this Thursday, February 27. The application window will remain open until March 8.
Aspiring candidates must meet several stringent requirements to be eligible:
be between 35 and 70 years old;
be of Gabonese nationality;
have renounced any other nationality at least three years before the election;
have resided in the country for at least three consecutive years prior to the presidential election and speak at least one of the national languages;
deposit an electoral bond of thirty million CFA francs (approximately €45,735 or $47,922).
Among the declared candidates is Daniel Mengara, a staunch opponent of ex-President Bongo who returned to Gabon last August after 26 years in exile. There are also two women, a businesswoman, Gninga Chaning, and an engineer, Marion N'negue Minstsa.
The country's transitional leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, has yet to officially declare himself.
Campaigning is scheduled to begin on March 29, with voting scheduled for April 12.