Central African Republic holds presidential election with incumbent seeking re-election

Central African Republic Holds Presidential Election

The Central African Republic is holding its presidential election, with incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadera projected to secure another term in office. Polling stations opened at 05:00 GMT on Sunday and will close at 17:00 GMT, with an estimated 2.3 million voters expected to participate in the election.

Touadera has been in office since 2016 and is running for re-election following a constitutional referendum in 2023 that allowed him to serve additional terms. The campaign took place without significant incidents, although opposition figures were restricted from participating in rallies in certain areas due to security concerns.

The elections are being held against the backdrop of ongoing civil war in the country, which has been ongoing since 2013 and has brought the state to a state of instability. International peace missions, including the United Nations mission in the CAR (MINUSCA), as well as military support from Russia and Rwanda, have helped to partially stabilize the situation.

In addition to the presidential election, parliamentary elections and local elections are also being held on Sunday. Touadera was re-elected in 2020, although the vote was marred by allegations of fraud and an uprising by rebel groups.

The government has taken steps to ensure the integrity of the election process, including deploying security forces throughout the capital city. However, some opposition figures have expressed concerns about the transparency of the elections and the point of voting.

According to Paul Crescent Beninga, a political scientist and civil society figure, “orchestrated” rallies have been held across the country to promote Touadera’s popularity. The incumbent has been seen in various public appearances, including at a rally in Bangui’s stadium, while his top critics were limited to smaller events.

The elections are being closely watched by international observers, who will assess the integrity of the process and provide recommendations for future improvements.

Source: Al Jazeera