General elections are due to be held in Gabon in 2025.[1] They will be the first ever elections in the country since the Bongo dynasty was overthrown in the 2023 coup after 56 years years of rule.
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Background
editIn August 2023, a general election was held where incumbent president Ali Bongo won a third term with 64% of the votes. The results were heavily controversial and disputed and four days later, the Gabonese Army and the Gabonese Republican Guard, led by Brigadier General Brice Oligui Nguema, who was a cousin of Bongo, led a coup d'état which ousted and arrested Bongo and his government, annulled the election results, dissolved all state institutions, and where the military assumes control of the country with Nguema as transitional president.[2][3][4]
On 13 November, the military junta authorities has promised free and fair elections to be held August 2025, two years after the coup, even though they have yet to announce the exact date.[5]
Constitutional Referendum
editOn 16 November 2024, Gabon held a constitutional referendum. In the referendum, the post of prime minister was abolished, the presidential terms was set for seven years, renewable once, and as well as the president having to have at least one parent who is Gabonese and as well as having a Gabonese spouse. The referendum is also seen by many as a key step towards return to civilian rule after the coup.[6] The referendum also paves way for Brice Oligui Nguema to run in the 2025 election.
Electoral system
editThe President of Gabon is elected for a seven-year term via the two-round system. The voting age in Gabon is 21, and voting is compulsory; non-participants may be fined.[7]
Candidates
editPotential
edit- Brice Oligui Nguema, incumbent transitional president
References
edit- ^ "Election Calendar". EISA. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "A 'coup' in Gabon: Who, what and why?". Aljazeera. 30 August 2023.
- ^ "Gabon coup attempt sees military chiefs declare election results "cancelled" and "end to current regime"". CBS News. 30 August 2023.
- ^ "Gabon coup leader Nguema sworn in as transitional head of state". Aljazeera. 4 September 2023.
- ^ "Gabon elections: Junta plans post-Bongo polls for 2025". BBC News. 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Gabon votes in referendum on new constitution after military coup last year". Aljazeera. 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Elections: Gabonese Presidency 2016 General". IFES Election Guide. Retrieved 2024-05-24.