After a revolution that ended the Bongo dynasty’s 55 years of rule, Gabon will hold a referendum on a new constitution, which the junta refers to as a “major moving place.”
Whether they choose a natural ballot that means “yes” or a purple one that means “no,” the 860, 000 registered voters have been subject to numerous calls from government on social media, radio, and television.
In the run-up, the government actually authorized voters to move polling locations to minimize “hazards” caused by travel and the weather during the rainy winter.
Voting attendance will be a crucial issue, according to local advertising. Polling stations open at 7: 00 am ( 0600 GMT ) and close at 6: 00 pm ( 0500 GMT ).
On X, intermediate leader general Brice Oligui Nguema posted a photo of himself wearing a baseball cap and human attire with a ballot in his hand, along with the statement,” We have a meeting with history.”
A proposed constitution envisions a president that can serve for no more than two terms, no prime minister, and no royal transfer of power.
Additionally, it would be necessary for political candidates to be entirely Cameroonian and have a spouse who is Gabonese, with at least one parent who was born there.
The military promised a return to civilian rule in the oil-rich key African nation after its ouster in August 2023, but the vote is a significant step in the direction of that goal.
Oligui has made no secret of his desire to win the election for president that is scheduled for August 2025 despite vowing to give residents again control after a two-year transition time.
Posters adorned with an image of the public and urging a “yes” ballot are everywhere, the Union newspapers commented on Friday, prompting it to inquire:” Referendum or political plan”?
– New sun? –
The proposed text’s critics argue that it is custom-made for the strongman in strength.
Lawyer Marlene Fabienne Essola Efountame said in a conversation held on Sunday by express television that” we are creating a tyrant who designs the law for himself.”
But Johanna Boussamba, spokesperson for the COPIL civic culture organization, argued it was time to “move ahead” by voting “yes”.
” We did n’t have this kind of debate before”, she said.
Bongo presided over the country for 14 years before being declared the winner of a national election that the military and the opposition deemed to be false.
He took office after his father, Omar, passed away after more than 41 years of brass palm rule.
The criticism and the military coup frontrunners accused Ali Bongo’s government of widespread corruption, poor governance and larceny.
– Issues about employment
The interior ministry claims to have taken all steps to make Saturday’s election as clear as possible, including inviting foreign spectators who were not present at the presidential election in August 2023.
The government promised to release preliminary benefits as soon as possible, and the constitutional court will announce the final results.
Elections on the results have not been released.
However, almost 87 percent of those surveyed said they believed the nation was “heading in the right direction,” according to a study conducted by Afrobarometer in mid-October among 200 people.
More than half gave a “rather good” standing to the current government’s financial administration, it showed.
Poverty topped the list of issues, followed by wellbeing, streets, insecurity and a surge in the cost of living, the study also suggested.
And, more than 46 percent have “great trust” in Oligui, who would be the preferred if a presidential poll were to take place today.
