LIFTING TERM LIMITS: LOW TURN-OUT FOR PUBLIC

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000902

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/C, INR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM CD
SUBJECT: LIFTING TERM LIMITS: LOW TURN-OUT FOR PUBLIC
REFERENDUM

REF: A. NDJAMENA 863

B. NDJAMENA 887


1. Summary: Low voter turn-out characterized the public
referendum on constitutional amendments, including one that
removes presidential term limits, on June 6. The low
turn-out is the result of several factors, including apathy,
the declaration of a public holiday, and opposition calls for
a boycott. N'Djamena was calm and quiet as teams of Embassy
employees monitored over 120 polling stations and witnessed
irregularities at many of the polling places. Similar
reports of low voter turn-out were received from contacts in
Abeche, Moundou, and Moussoro. The government newspaper, Le
Progres, however, claims that 60 percent of the eligible
voters voted by 11:00 a.m. The ruling party is claiming
victory for its "oui massif" campaign. The final tally will
be released June 21. End Summary.


2. Embassy employees visited over 120 polling stations
throughout N'Djamena, used a series of contacts in other
parts of Chad, and travel to Moussoro, to observe the conduct
of the public referendum on June 6. N'Djamena was quiet as
the government declared a public holiday and the opposition
declared a stay-at-home boycott for the "death of democracy".
Embassy teams noted a low voter turn-out. Each polling
station had approximately 400 registered voters, but embassy
officials noted only 30-40 votes per station early in the
day. However, teams conducted spot checks of stations near
closing and confirmed that turn-out had not increased. At
some stations, the most votes recorded were from nomads, who
were given three days to vote.


3. Despite some complaints of material shortages, Embassy
personnel found that most polling stations had sufficient
supplies (yes and no ballots, ink, electoral lists).
National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) officials
appeared to understand their task, and the polling stations
were orderly. However, the presence of ruling Movement for
Patriotic Salvation (MPS) officials at the polling stations
and the fact that the local neighborhood chief, who are also
MPS members, possessed the keys to the ballot boxes were key
irregularities. Gendarmes, police, and nomadic guard members
were posted at each polling station, but were unarmed and
appeared not to be intimidating voters, from our
observations. There were some problems with the voter
registration lists.


4. We note that on June 5, the ruling party rented a plane
that flew over N'Djamena dropping "oui" ballots which are
white in various neighborhoods. In addition, a procession in
support of the "yes" vote also dropped "oui" ballots out of
cars. Campaign posters for the "yes" vote, which should have
been taken down prior to the voting, still adorn the streets.
Some polling stations were located near MPS offices. Two
Embassy officers witnessed gendarmes voting "yes" several
times at several polling stations.


5. Each voter was given a "yes" and "no" ballot and an
envelope. The voter then went behind a thatched mat or
curtains to place their vote in an opaque envelope. They
discarded the unused "yes" or "no" in a sack. Embassy
personnel checked the sacks of discarded ballots and found
that many voters had voted "no". (Note: However, we doubt
the final results will reflect this. End Note.) In some
areas, there was no privacy. In one case, the polling
officials challenged a "no" voter, asking the voter why they
did not vote "yes".


6. The government newspaper and radio broadcasts are
indicating a higher turn-out (perhaps as high as 60 percent,
according to Le Progres) than we witnessed. The newspaper
also quotes the French and Taiwanese Ambassadors as
supporting President Deby. The results will not be announced
until June 21.

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COMMENT
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7. For all of the campaigning that went on prior to the
referendum (refs),the government will be hard-pressed to
explain the total lack of interest in the referendum.


Government statements that as many as 60 percent of the
registered voters voted are a huge distortion. Given the
level of government campaigning prior to the referendum, the
low turn-out, which must have also included ruling party
members, is disappointing for those who would want to claim
that there is overwhelming support for President Deby to run
for another term. We doubt that official tabulations mesh
with our observations and expect a great deal of government
"spin" on the referendum and its outcome.

WALL


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