The campaign for Chad’s legislative, municipal, and provincial elections officially commenced on Saturday, marking the final phase of the transition initiated after the death of former President Idriss Déby in 2021.

Set to conclude with elections on December 29, candidates have 21 days to rally voters. The ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), which presented nearly 3,000 candidates, launched its campaign with a significant rally at N’Djamena’s Paris-Congo Stadium.

While some parties have intensified their mobilization efforts, 15 opposition groups have boycotted the polls, labeling the process undemocratic. These are the first elections of their kind in Chad since the last legislative vote in 2011.