Gabon Braces for Presidential Elections as Polls Open

Voting stations opened their doors Saturday morning in Gabon for the first round of the presidential election, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape. Over 920,200 registered voters have until 6:00 PM local time to cast their votes and select the next president of Gabon from eight candidates.

A total of 3,037 polling stations have been established, including 2,941 within Gabon and 96 located abroad, to facilitate voter participation. This election will determine the first head of state under the Fifth Republic, which was established by the new constitution adopted in November 2024 through a referendum.

The eight candidates vying for the presidency include Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the leader of the transition government and widely regarded as the frontrunner. Other candidates include former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, Stéphane Iloko, Joseph Lapensée Essigone, Thierry Yvon Michel N’Goma, Alain Simplice Boungoueres, Axel Stophen Ibinga Ibinga, and the sole 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. Should no candidate secure an absolute majority of votes in the first round, a runoff will be held fourteen days after the announcement of the results.

To ensure transparency and fairness throughout the process, 46 observation missions have been accredited, including 17 international missions comprising representatives from the United Nations, 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 they have implemented all necessary measures to conduct a smooth election, a critical juncture for ending the political transition that began in August 2023 and restoring constitutional order in this nation of 2.3 million residents.