Chad lays groundwork for key referendum

Chad has started preparations for the planned referendum due to take place on 17 December, on a new constitution aimed at returning it to civilian rule.

On Monday the government launched an initiative to revise and update the list of the electoral register from the 2021 biometric file.

A team comprising of the Minister of Territorial Administration, who is also chairman of the national committee in charge of organising the referendum, and other government officials were in the Moyen-Chari region for the launch.

The new electoral register is expected be published on 12 November to pave the way for campaign activities.

Provisional results of the referendum will be announced on 26 December before being transmitted to the Constitutional Court for validation.

A new constitution aimed at returning Chad to civil rule was approved on 27 June by a majority of the members of the Transitional National Council.

However, there have been deep divisions among the government, opposition, and civil society groups over the provisions of the new constitution.

Chad is currently run by transitional President General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who took over in April 2021 following the death of his father President Idriss Déby in a military operation.

Source: BBC