Gabonese Presidential Election : New Eligibility Conditions Afoot

Compared to the 2016 Presidential elections, the 2023 Presidential elections in Gabon would not be the same again following the proposal for modification of certains articles of the electoral law by the government and its eventual adoption by the National Assembly in the days ahead. Amongst the numerous modifications that have ignited debate is the one obliging all candidates wishing to stand for the elections to have permanently been resident in the country for at least six months without interruption. This measure which also concerns ambassadors has not only raised many questions, but also left the political class divided.
According to opposition leader, Alexandre Barro Chambrier, the move is to eleminate certain candidates from the 2023 presidential election. Reacting from Paris (France), Victoire Lasseny Duboze, former Secretary General of the ruling party now in the opposition camp condemned the bill saying, it is a well calculated attempt to exclude some major challengers from the next presidential election. Another opposition leader, Innocent Bemvone reacting from the United States, called on Parliamentarians and Senators not to vote in favo...