Crucial issue of this consultation carried by the new strong man of the country, the participation rate rose to 53.54% – well below the first estimates (71%) -, according to provisional data published Sunday by the ministry of the Interior.
A total of 868,115 voters were called on Saturday to cast a green ballot for the oui or red for non during the voting day, presented by those in power as a historical momenta little more than a year after the putsch which ended 55 years of rule by the Bongo family.
Once the final results have been confirmed by the constitutional court, the next step will be the holding of a presidential election, currently scheduled for August 2025, to put a definitive end to the transition.
General Oligui promised to return power to civilians but he does not hide his presidential ambitions by also promising a rise to bliss to this country which is both rich in oil and heavily in debt. We are here to build the country and we will build this country togetherhe declared Friday to applause while inaugurating a market in Libreville.
Since Friday, the authorities have reinforced the curfew put in place since the putsch, with timetables rearranged from 24 hours to 5 a.m. throughout the period of the electoral process.
No major incidents were reported during the voting day, according to the authorities and according to the Network of Citizen Observers (ROC), a platform of local associations supported by the United Nations.
– Transparency –
The transitional president of Gabon, General Brice Oligui Nguema, during a parade marking the first anniversary of his coming to power through a coup d’état, August 30, 2024 in Libreville
The government presented it as a guarantee of transparency the presence of around thirty international observer missions – sidelined during the August 2023 presidential election which led to the re-election of Ali Bongo and then his dismissal after accusations of electoral fraud and embezzlement of public funds.
If they were able to follow the progress of the vote, observers were unable to attend the counting process in some officesaccording to the ROC which had deployed 250 people on the ground.
In accordance with the Gabonese electoral code, the ballots were incinerated in each of the polling stations after counting. The report of the results was centralized at the Ministry of the Interior which replaced the electoral authorities dissolved after the coup d’état.
The vote, organized in a context of transition where aspirations for new governance and structural reforms have crystallizedstood in a calm and serene atmosphere with a structured and functional organizationunderlined the ROC in a statement published on Sunday.
Dominated by official propaganda, the campaign opened at the beginning of November was marked by lively debates. Opponents of the text denounced a text allowing a regime dictatorial tailor-made for the president of the transition, his supporters affirming that it was necessary to move forward by voting oui.
– Liberation –
Several provisions cannot be subject to any future revision. Among them: the limit of two successive presidential mandates, the method of election by direct universal suffrage or even marriage reserved for two individuals of opposite sexes.
New provision, military service becomes compulsory, for girls as for boys.
Thank you for joining us today on World-Today-News.com. Could you share your thoughts on the recently held constitutional referendum in Gabon, particularly concerning the provisional data published by the Ministry of the Interior, which indicates a lower-than-expected turnout rate? As experts and professionals in the field, how do you analyze this result, and what implications might it have for the country’s political future?
Guest 1: The lower-than-expected turnout rate of 53.54% highlights a general lack of trust in the government and the democratic process in Gabon. It could indicate a deep-seated dissatisfaction among the populace with the current administration’s handling of affairs, including their failure to address issues of corruption and economic stagnation. This low turnout might also be attributed to the boycott calls by some opposition parties, who claimed that the process was rigged and that the new constitution would only entrench the ruling party’s power. Nonetheless, it’s essential for the government to take this opportunity to reach out to disenfranchised sections of society and work towards building greater participation in the democratic process.
Guest 2: While it’s true that the turnout was lower than initially anticipated, it’s important to recognize that this referendum was held during a transition period where expectations were high. The people of Gabon may have been struggling with the idea of moving forward without a clear plan for the future, and this could have contributed to their apathy. Moreover, the government’s messaging around the significance of this vote might not have been clear enough to some individuals, leading to confusion and disinterest. However, the fact that no major incidents were reported during the voting day indicates that the government has made strides in ensuring a peaceful and transparent process.
Interviewer: Moving on to the opposition’s response, how do you analyze the role of international observers in the referendum? Did their presence help to guarantee transparency, as the government claimed, or were there gaps in their oversight?
Guest 1: The presence of international observers was a positive development, as it signaled the government’s willingness to engage with the international community and uphold democratic values. However, the fact that obser
