Élections au Gabon 2023 : Tout ce que vous devez savoir

 

Le climat politique au Gabon est déjà tendu car le pays se prépare à se rendre aux urnes le 26 août 2023 pour élire le président, les législateurs et les chefs d'assemblée locaux qui dirigeront le pays pour les 5 prochaines années.

De manière intéressante, le Gabon a été fortement dominé par un seul parti politique - le Parti Démocratique Gabonais (PDG), qui est au pouvoir depuis 1968 après le décès du premier président du Gabon, Léon M’ba.

Bien que le système multipartite ait été réinstauré en 1990 après des mois d'agitation, le PDG a continué à dominer le système politique sous la direction d'Omar Bongo, puis maintenant de son fils Ali Bongo.

Selon la Constitution, le Président est le Chef de l'État et est élu tous les 5 ans (auparavant tous les 7 ans), sans limitation constitutionnelle de mandat. Le président élu détient également le plus haut pouvoir exécutif et le poste permet de choisir le Premier ministre. Le Président a également le pouvoir de dissoudre l'Assemblée Nationale, de différer la législation, entre autres responsabilités exécutives.

Comment se déroulent les élections

Il y aura des élections législatives et locales en même temps que l'élection présidentielle. La campagne présidentielle devrait débuter le 11 août, tandis que les campagnes pour les élections législatives sont prévues pour commencer le 16 août.

Le gouvernement a récemment mis en place un changement constitutionnel réduisant le mandat présidentiel de sept à cinq ans et ramenant le scrutin à un seul tour - la majorité l'emporte. La loi controversée autorise seulement trois observateurs par bureau de vote - un pour le parti au pouvoir, un pour les candidats de l'opposition et un pour les candidats indépendants. Tous les candidats avaient des observateurs lors des élections précédentes.

Tous les membres de l'Assemblée Nationale sont directement élus au vote majoritaire dans des circonscriptions à siège unique et ils servent des mandats de 5 ans.

Les candidats présidentiels

Bien qu'il y ait un certain nombre de candidats à la présidence lors des élections générales de cette année au Gabon, le Président, Ali Bongo, est considéré comme le candidat le plus populaire. Selon de nombreux analystes politiques, cela est le résultat du pouvoir et de la domination du PDG au Parlement. Néanmoins, les autres candidats à la présidence comprennent : Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier du Rassemblement Pour La Patrie et la Modernité (RPM), Paulette Missambo se présentant sous la bannière de l'Union Nationale, Mike Steve Dave Jocktane de Gabon Nouveau, Thérence Ngnembou Moutsona représentant le Parti du Réveil Citoyen (PRC), l'ancien Premier ministre Raymond Ndong Sima ainsi qu'Albert Ondo Ossa qui sont des candidats indépendants. 

Les autres candidats sont are Jean Delor Biyogue Bi Ntougou, Gerard Ella Nguema Mitoghe, Jean Romain Fanguinoveny, Axel Stophene Ibinga Ibinga, Victoire Lasseni Duboze, Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou, Joachim Mbatchi Pambo, Abel Mbombe Nzondou, Jean Victor Mouanga Mbadinga, Emmanuel Mve Mba, Thierry Yvon Michel N'goma, et Gervais Oniane.

Les demandes du peuple

Malgré que l'exploitation pétrolière et l'extraction des ressources naturelles au Gabon génèrent de la richesse pour le pays, il continue de faire face à des niveaux élevés d'inégalité, principalement attribués au favoritisme et au népotisme liés à la corruption. En raison de cela, certains citoyens sont déterminés à perturber le statu quo, en particulier en ce qui concerne la direction du pays.

Cependant, les partisans du régime estiment que le règne de Bongo en tant que Président a grandement amélioré le pays. Ils mettent en avant la gestion par le gouvernement de la crise de la Covid-19, la gestion des comptes publics et de l'économie.

Suivez le Projet Elections Africaines sur Twitter/X et Facebook pour plus de mises à jours @africanelection

Zimbabwe’s 2023 General Elections: All you need to know

Zimbabweans will be heading to the polls on the 23^rd of August 2023 to elect councilors, members of parliament, and a president who will steer the affairs of the country for the next five years. Despite Zimbabwe being a multi-party state, elections have often been reported to be unfair, unfree, and stained with corruption and dirty tricks. As the election day inches closer, the African Elections Project (AEP) puts together all you need to know in this article.

How will the elections work?

Aside from the presidential race, the country will also be choosing 210 members of the National Assembly. Voting is expected to take place on the 23^rd of August 2023 although some service personnel such as security officers on duty will be made to cast their ballot before voting day.

Diplomats currently not in the country will be able to vote by post but Zimbabweans living abroad would not be able to vote. However, most citizens would be eligible to vote and are expected to register using the biometric registration system.

The Senate, National Assembly, and Provincial Councils seats will be assigned based on proportional representation.

If a presidential candidate fails to surpass the 50% threshold there will be a run-off held on 2^nd October.

Who is contesting?

According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, 12 candidates have been approved as being eligible to run for the presidency. However, two candidates stand tall in this vote. They are Incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the governing Zanu-PF party, and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, from the Citizen's Coalition for Change (CCC).

The other candidates are Saviour Kasukuwere - an Independent candidate ( whose candidature is being challenged in court at the time of publishing this article), Lovemore Madhuku of the  National Constitutional Assembly, Trust Chikohora standing on the ticket of the Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development, Elisabeth Valerio of the United Zimbabwe Alliance Party,  Douglas Mwonzora of the Movement for Democratic Change Party,  Joseph Makamba Bush of the Free Zim congress,  Blessing Kasiyamhuru representing the  Zimbabwe Partnership,  Wilbert Mubaiwa of the National People's Congress leader,  Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa standing on the ticket of the United African National Council and Peter Harry Wilson of the Democratic Opposition Party.

Eligibility is dependent on several factors including the payment of $20,000, which has already disqualified several aspirants. Candidates are also expected to be registered as a voter and ordinarily reside in Zimbabwe for a given period of time.

 

What are the main issues?

In Zimbabwe, the rising cost of living continues to be a major concern for citizens. For instance, in the 12 months leading up to May this year, prices of goods and services rose by 86.5%, one of the highest annual inflation rates in the world. Additionally, businesses are struggling to cope with crippling power outages and an unstable local currency, which lost 86% of its value between January and early June. Moreover, corruption sits at the top of voters’ concerns.

 

Will the elections be free and fair?

Given Zimbabwe’s past elections, it would be difficult to assume that the next election would be declared free and fair by all stakeholders.

Previous elections were undeniably corrupt, violent, and rigged to favor Mugabe’s nearly 40-year reign. The 2018 election which was the first election after the former independence leader’s resignation, though less violent was still reported by several election monitors as having a blemished electoral roll, voter intimidation, a biased electoral commission, and ballot paper malpractice.

While Zimbabweans hope this election will be more free and fair than the previous ones, it might not go without controversies and disputes. Already, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has been accused of endorsing country demarcations without following the proper procedures. This has led to squabbling within the commission causing some officials to abdicate duty forcing the Chairperson (and deputy) to announce that they would be solely responsible for the commission’s communications.

Follow the African Elections Project on Twitter and Facebook for more updates @africanelection. 

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu elected as ECOWAS chairman

Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, has been elected as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). 

This announcement came during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the regional bloc, held in Guinea-Bissau's capital city of Bissau on Sunday.

The ECOWAS Chairmanship is a rotational position held by the leaders of member countries, with each chairman serving a one-year term

“We will take democracy seriously, Democracy is very tough but it is the form of government,” Tinubu said after he received handover documents.

Tinubu succeeded Umaro Embaló, the President of Guinea-Bissau, who had held the position for the previous twelve months. 

During the summit, the West African leaders engaged in discussions concerning regional security, political matters, and other relevant issues.

Prior to the summit, the 50th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial level was held on July 5, 2023, also in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.

At this gathering, the ministers addressed various topics, including the peace and security situation in the region, the ECOWAS Standby Force, ECOWAS Stabilization Missions, humanitarian concerns, and updates on the implementation of the National Early Warning Centres.

Sierra Leone’s Bio wins second term

Julius Maada Bio has been re-elected as president of Sierra Leone, according to the electoral commission. Bio, 59, won 56.17% of the vote, while his challenger, Samura Kamara, received 41.16%.

“By the powers invested in me … I hereby certify that Bio Julius Maada … [is] duly elected president,” Chief Electoral Commissioner Mohammed Konneh said on Tuesday.

Winning candidates are required to get 55 percent of votes, and Bio narrowly avoided a second round.

Kamara swiftly rejected the results alleging irregularities. The 72-year-old said that he “categorically” rejected the results. “It is a sad day for our beloved country. It is a frontal attack on our fledgling democracy,” he tweeted.

“These results are NOT credible and I categorically reject the outcome so announced by the electoral commission,” he wrote.

The electoral commission's announcement of Bio's victory came after both parties claimed they have won.

Kamara alleged that security forces had opened fire on his party's headquarters, but police denied this. His party, the APC had already disputed the vote tallying, alleging a lack of inclusiveness, transparency, and responsibility by the election commission.

They pointed to the lack of information about which polling stations or districts the ballots were coming from.

The APC said it “will not accept these fake and cooked up results”.

In a follow-up statement, they alleged “over-voting” in some areas and said the party “continues to reject” the “fabricated results” and “reaffirms our victory”.

During a news conference on Monday, European Union observers expressed their concerns about the lack of transparency and communication from the electoral authority, which has led to mistrust in the electoral process

The monitors reported witnessing incidents of violence at seven polling stations during voting hours and at three others during the closing and counting stages.

There were apprehensions that further unrest could occur as the results were announced, especially if none of the 13 candidates managed to secure an outright victory

The United States also voiced its concerns about the lack of transparency in the counting process.

According to Konneh, any citizen who lawfully voted is allowed to submit challenges to the Supreme Court within seven days of the election results being declared.

In response to the provisional results released on Monday, Bio, the incumbent, addressed the nation and urged citizens to maintain peace.

The June 24 election marked the fifth since the end of Sierra Leone's civil war in 2002. However, it took place against a backdrop of high unemployment, inflation, and heightened violent rhetoric.

Bio, a former coup leader in the 1990s prioritized education and women's rights during his first term. However, his administration faced growing frustration due to economic hardships.

Rising prices triggered unusually violent protests last year.

The World Bank has reported that Sierra Leone's economic downturn has hindered hopes of recovery, with widespread underemployment and over half of the population living in poverty.

Bio has faced mounting criticism due to the debilitating economic conditions, which Kamara, his opponent, pledged to address.

With nearly 60 percent of the population facing poverty and high youth unemployment rates, Sierra Leone continues to grapple with significant challenges.

AEP

Get the latest news and updates on elections in Africa by following us on twitter @africanelection and like our Facebook page: African Elections Project.

Sierra Leoneans await results following poll fraught with delays

Polls closed at 5pm yesterday across Sierra Leone in a voting process fraught with delays in many parts of the West African country.

Long queues were reported in several parts of the country after 5 pm due to delays on the part of the electoral management body.

12 candidates including 2018 frontrunner, Samura Kamara are aiming to defeat incumbent, President Julius Bio, to lead the country for the next five years.

Voting began at 7am according to the Sierra Leone Electoral Commission.

Hours before the official start time, local media reported long queues were formed at dozens of polling station.

New Sierra Leone, a coalition of civil society organisations monitoring the elections claimed that only 72% of polling stations closed on the official time.

Sorting and counting of votes began in many parts of the country where polls closed.

The EC announced on Sunday morning that tallying of votes had begun as the electoral process continues to determine the winner of the 2023 election.

Meanwhile, the opposition All People’s Congress released a statement thanking the international community for their steadfastness in ensuring a free, fair and credible elections.

This is the fifth election since the Sierra Leone civil war ended in 2002.