US embassy cable - 05NDJAMENA902

UNCLAS  NDJAMENA 000902 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/C, INR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, CD, Political Stability, Human RIghts 
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. 
 
- - - - 
COMMENT 
- - - - 
 
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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