Gabon’s transitional parliament has passed a new electoral code that critics argue favors junta leader Brice Oligui Nguema. The law permits security personnel and magistrates to contest elections, fueling speculation that Nguema has presidential ambitions. The code also allocates two parliamentary seats to the Gabonese diaspora and enables dual nationals to contest elections except for the presidency while retaining their other citizenship. Additionally, it transfers election management responsibilities from the local government to the interior ministry. The new electoral code has been opposed by critics who demand that military members of the transition committee should be formally banned from running for office. The move has also consolidated observers’ belief that a recent propaganda drive by members of the junta was to pave the way for Nguema’s candidacy.
Source: africanews.
