We have detected that the browser you are using is no longer supported. As a result, some content may not display correctly.
We suggest that you upgrade to the latest version of any of the following browsers:
close notification
The National Union for Democracy and Renewal coalition (UNDR/PLD)
12
Others
42
Total
188
Introduction
Chad held a Parliamentary election on February 13, 2011, the country’s first in nearly a decade. Prior to the election, the ruling MPS party, under the leadership of incumbent President Idriss Déby, was widely expected to maintain its grip on the country’s 188-seat legislature. The results of the vote reflect exactly that. The MPS-led coalition achieved 134 seats, which is 71,28% of the vote.
The MPS’ closest rival was that of the UNDR/PLD coalition, which achieved a meagre 12 seats. The remaining 42 seats were distributed among a number of smaller, poorly funded parties, in which 16 of these received a single seat.
The results of the vote reflect the dynamics of Chad’s political landscape. The MPS has dominated ever since it came to power in a 1990 coup. The country is effectively a single-party State with no real opposition. The opposition, on the other hand, is poorly organised with 100 tiny parties that pose no real threat to the ruling party.
Electoral system
Chad’s National Assembly is unicameral in nature. Members are directly elected by universal suffrage from single member and multimember constituencies.
Conclusion
The recent Parliamentary election has done little to upset the political dynamics of the Central African State. The MPS still has a commanding majority in the National Assembly, while the opposition languishes with no real support as a result of a lack of unity and funding.
While elements of the coalition are likely to criticise the State’s monopoly of the media as a means of manipulating the election through electioneering, the result is likely to stand and the MPS dominance retained.
Main Sources
Newsahead. Landlocked central African country holds legislative election. (February 20, 2011)
IOL. Chad election begins. (February 13, 2011)
Timeslive. President’s party wins Chad election. (February 28, 2011)
Eisa. Chad: 2011 National Assembly election result. (March 4, 2011).
Photos
