Key Takeaways:

• Chad's ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement won 124 out of 188 seats.
• The recent election faced significant opposition boycott, with over 10 parties withdrawing.
• Voter turnout was reported at 51.56%, raising questions about the process’s legitimacy.
• President Mahamat Idriss Deby aims to decentralize power through these elections.
• The election comes during a tumultuous period marked by security challenges and strained ties with France.

N'DJAMENA, Chad (Reuters, Reuters, AP News, Al Jazeera, VOA News) - Chad's ruling party, led by President Mahamat Idriss Deby, has secured a significant majority in the recent parliamentary elections, winning 124 of the 188 National Assembly seats. This election, held on December 29, was marked by a lack of participation from opposition parties, with more than ten groups including the main Transformateurs party opting for a boycott, labeling the event a “charade” and expressing concerns about its credibility.

The voter turnout was reported at 51.56%, indicative of the public's doubts regarding the transparency of the election process. Aimed at finalizing the country’s transition to democracy, this election is deemed pivotal following Deby's military takeover in 2021, which came after the death of his father, the longtime ruler Idriss Deby Itno. The current government claims this election will herald an era of decentralization, distributing power more equally across the different governing levels.

Nonetheless, the legitimacy of the electoral process is under scrutiny, particularly with reports of previous contested elections, such as Deby's own presidential victory last year. The recent parliamentary elections also arrive at a fragile time for Chad, as the country confronts significant security challenges, including threats from Boko Haram militants in the Lake Chad region and the abrupt cessation of military cooperation with France, a key ally. Analysts have suggested that the situation reflects a broader trend in West and Central Africa, where several nations have shifted allegiance away from Western powers amidst political upheaval.

Deby's administration has remained firm in its stance, asserting that the election will strengthen the country's governance and address the longstanding need for political stability.

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