Polling Stations Open in Gabon for the First Round of the Presidential Election

Polling Stations Open in Gabon’s Presidential Election

Polling stations opened their doors on Saturday morning in Gabon for the first round of the presidential election, marking a crucial step in the country’s political landscape. More than 920,200 registered voters have until 6:00 PM local time to cast their votes and select the future president of Gabon from a pool of eight candidates.

A total of 3,037 polling stations have been set up, with 2,941 located within Gabon and 96 abroad, to accommodate voters. This election will determine the first head of state under the Fifth Republic, established by the new constitution adopted in November 2024 through a referendum.

The eight candidates competing include the Transitional President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who is widely regarded as the frontrunner, alongside Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze (former Prime Minister), Stéphane Iloko, Joseph Lapensée Essigone, Thierry Yvon Michel N’Goma, Alain Simplice Boungoueres, Axel Stophen Ibinga Ibinga, and the only female candidate, Zenaba Chaning Gninga.

According to Gabon’s 2024 constitution, the elected president will serve a seven-year term, which can be renewed once. If no candidate secures an absolute majority of votes in the first round, a runoff election will be held fourteen days following the announcement of the results.

To ensure transparency and integrity in the process, 46 observation missions have been accredited, including 17 international missions with representatives from the UN, the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), and the Commonwealth.

The Gabonese Electoral Commission has stated that it has taken all necessary measures to ensure a smooth electoral process, a decisive moment for ending the political transition that began in August 2023 and restoring constitutional order in this country of 2.3 million inhabitants.