Central African Republic election: Who’s running and what’s at stake?

Central African Republic Holds Contested Presidential and Legislative Elections

The Central African Republic is set to hold highly anticipated presidential and legislative elections on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s history. The polls will determine whether President Faustin-Archange Touadera will extend his tenure beyond two terms for the first time.

Touadera, who has been instrumental in introducing Bitcoin as one of the country’s legal tenders in 2022, had previously pushed through a referendum abolishing presidential term limits. This move has sparked criticism from opposition groups and civil society, with some labeling the vote a “sham.” The boycott call comes after significant delays in confirming two major challengers, which have raised concerns about the electoral body’s preparedness.

The elections will also see local elections held for the first time in 40 years. The country has been plagued by political instability and civil war since independence from France in 1960, resulting in one million people being displaced. Despite its rich natural resources, including crude oil, gold, and uranium, CAR remains one of Africa’s poorest nations.

According to official figures, approximately 2.3 million eligible voters are registered for the election, with 749,000 new registrations since the last election in 2020. The country will have around 6,700 polling units across its territory. Average turnout in past years has been around 62 percent, according to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

The National Elections Authority initially planned to hold municipal government elections at the end of August but moved them to December due to funding and logistical challenges. This decision has raised concerns among election observers and opposition politicians about the electoral body’s readiness. The presidential candidate with an absolute majority will be declared the winner, but if there is no outright winner in the first round, a second-round vote will determine the victor.

The 2023 referendum introduced a new constitution that removed term limits and increased each term to seven years. The country’s constitutional court has approved Touadera’s candidacy alongside prominent opposition leader Anicet-Georges Dologuele, ex-Prime Minister Henri-Marie Dondra, and five others.

Source: Al Jazeera