Promoting Elections, Accountability and Civic Engagement in Chad

Situation

Chad has been plagued by political violence even prior to its independence in 1960. Uprisings, political coups and civil war have deeply scarred the country and have chased away many hoping to invest in the country’s economy, democracy and well-being. Despite a democratic constitution approved by Chadians in referendum in 1996, the subsequent elections held in 1996, 2001 and 2006 were seen as controversial, flawed and unfair. Further, in 1995, President Idriss Déby unilaterally modified the constitution to remove the two-term limit on the presidency which caused uproar among the general public, civil society and opposition parties.

Clearly, the situation in Chad today is difficult, but not without hope. Two critical elections are scheduled over the next two years. The events before, during and immediately following the elections will have a significant impact on determining the path on which the country will travel. The Chadian government’s ability to open up the democratic space can help prevent the next cycle of violence from occurring. Investing in the building blocks of democracy now can lay a strong foundation for these and future elections in Chad. While realistic in our expectations, Counterpart and our PEACE Program partners have identified key opportunities on which we will build our approach and activities as outlined below.

What We Do

Promoting Elections, Accountability and Civic Engagement (PEACE) is a 2-year program funded by USAID to promote broader citizen participation in democratic processes through peaceful, free and fair legislative and presidential elections. Counterpart International, together with PEACE partners International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and the Management Systems International (MSI), works closely with the Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI) to effectively administer electoral processes; improve the ability of civil society organizations (CSOs) to inform the public through elections and government accountability campaigns; and to increase the ability of electoral and civic institutions to resolve disputes and mitigate and manage election-related conflict.

PEACE provides technical assistance and material support to CENI to analyze electoral census data; identify priorities and areas of need; establish and enhance media tools to increase public awareness of the electoral process; and strengthen existing electoral dispute resolution mechanisms.

PEACE also works with Chadian civil society partners to implement activities throughout Chad.  A key part of PEACE is capacity building to Chadian CSOs through the establishment of a Civic Election Forum and disbursement of grants.  Participants in these activities receive training and resources to disseminate information; access to CENI and government decision makers; and training in monitoring, analyzing and informing the public regarding elections, public procurement and election disputes.

USAID, CENI, Chadian CSOs and Counterpart work together to support a transparent, peaceful and participatory electoral process.  By the end of the PEACE program, Chadian citizens will witness:

• Increased CENI and CSO public outreach education on electoral processes and activities;
• Enhance capacity of CSOs and thus, citizens to monitor public procurement processes;
• Quick resolution of electoral disputes through CENI dispute structures and CSO engagement.

Over the next two years, Counterpart, USAID, CENI and key CSOs are working to increase collaboration between the government and CSOs to encourage broad citizen participation and democratic governance.