Fourteen candidates including the incumbent, Idriss Déby are on the frontline for the first round of election billed for April 10, 2016.

Some 14 candidates vying the Chadian Presidency are criss-crossing the country to lure electors to their favour for the April 10, 2016 first round presidential election. The candidates including incumbent Idriss Déby, who is seeking a fifth mandate, are holding political rallies in different parts of the country as campaigns enter decisive phase this week. Chadian news outlets reports that the big cities of the central African country vibrated over the weekend in the rhythm of electoral competition as political party leaders try to convince potential electors.

Idriss Déby Itno, who has been in power for 26 years, was in Abéché, Ati; Mongo, Sarh (Moyen Chari) amongst other places against a backdrop of calls from the civil society for him to quit the stage. Frontline opposition leader, Saleh Kebzabo of the UNDR party on his part was in Massenya (Chari Baguirmi), Massaguet, Ati (Batha) to convince electors why he is the right man for the top job. Saleh Kebzabo who is running unsuccessfully for the third time (1996 and 2001) is poised to give the incumbent who is heading an alliance with other political parties, a good run for his money.

Idris Déby is also facing challenge from his former Prime Minister (2013), Joseph Djimrangar Dadnadji who resigned from the ruling party MPS and created his own part CAP-SUR under which ticket he is presenting his candidacy in the April 10 poll. Two times contender, Nouredine Kassire Koumakoye who has also been Déby’s Primier is another candidate postulating for the Chadian Supreme Magistracy office. Among the 14 candidates is also the popular Mayor of Moundou, a city south of the country and the nation’s economic capital, Laoukein Kourayo Médard who will be running for the first time.