2023 Gabonese general election explained

Country:Gabon
Election Date:26 August 2023
Module:
Embed:yes
Election Name:Presidential election
Type:presidential
Previous Election:2016 Gabonese presidential election
Previous Year:2016
Next Election:2025 Gabonese general election
Next Year:2025
Turnout:56.65%
Image1:President Bongo Ondimba (52054341321) (cropped 2).jpg
Nominee1:Ali Bongo Ondimba
Party1:Gabonese Democratic Party
Popular Vote1:293,919
Percentage1:64.27%
Party2:A23
Color2:1B0173
Popular Vote2:140,690
Percentage2:30.77%
President
Before Election:Ali Bongo Ondimba
Before Party:Gabonese Democratic Party
After Election:Election results annulled
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Election Name:Parliamentary election
Seats For Election:All 143 seats in the National Assembly
Majority Seats:72
Next Election:2025
Prime Minister
Before Party:Gabonese Democratic Party
After Election:Election results annulled
Next Election:2025 Gabonese general election

General elections were held in Gabon on 26 August 2023.[1] [2] Incumbent president Ali Bongo ran for re-election,[3] representing the Gabonese Democratic Party, which had ruled the country continuously since its independence from France in 1960, including 41 years under Bongo's father, Omar.

Bongo was declared the winner on 30 August.[4] [5] A coup d'état began shortly afterward, leading to the election results being annulled.[6] [7]

Local and departmental elections were held the same day.[8]

Background

See main article: 2016 Gabonese presidential election and 2016 Gabonese protests.

The previous presidential election was held on 27 August 2016. On the day after the elections, opposition leader Jean Ping declared victory and said that he was "waiting for the outgoing president to call to congratulate me," although no results had been officially announced.[9] Only the electoral commission was legally permitted to announce results, and the Minister of the Interior, Pacôme Moubelet-Boubeya, accused Ping of "attempt[ing] to manipulate the democratic process," while Bongo said that "you must not sell the skin of the bear before you've killed him." Nevertheless, Bongo's spokesman, Alain Claude Bilie By Nzé, asserted that Bongo was ahead and would be re-elected.[10] Official results were scheduled to be announced on 30 August, but on that date it was stated that the announcement would be delayed by a few hours.[11] Results were finally announced on 31 August, showing a narrow victory for Bongo, who won 49.8% of the vote against 48.2% for Ping. Turnout was placed at 59.5%. The opposition's representatives on the electoral commission refused to confirm the results, and they were therefore confirmed by a vote in which the opposition members abstained. Ping's supporters maintained that the mostly complete results they had independently collected showed their candidate beating Bongo by a large margin, 59% to 38%.[12] Notably, the official results from Haut-Ogooue (the Bongo family's native province) showed Bongo receiving 95.5% of the vote on an alleged 99.9% turnout, an improbable result sparking widespread protests.[13] Bongo, noting that the vote was close, stressed the importance of peacefully respecting this outcome.

Following the announcement of official results, protests broke out in Libreville on 31 August, with attempts made to storm the election commission's offices.[14] Police were out in force and tried to disperse the protesters. The Parliament building was set on fire later in the day.[12] [15] The following day, Ping claimed that the presidential guard had bombed his party's headquarters, killing two people. By 2 September at least five people had been killed in the capital and 1,000 more had been arrested. The United Nations expressed "deep concern" about the violence. Along with France and the United States, it called for de-escalation on both sides of the dispute and pressed for more transparent detail on the vote outcome.[16]

Opposition call for fair elections

On 12 December 2022, the entire Gabonese opposition gathered in Libreville for the start of a series of meetings in view of the 2023 presidential and legislative elections. This meeting, at the call of the National Union, brought together fifty parties, including civil society leaders. The meeting was meant to put pressure on the government to reform the electoral process, and remind the public authorities of the need for consultation with the opposition. For Paulette Missambo, president of National Union, urgent reforms were needed in order to ensure a fair election.[17]

Electoral system

The President of Gabon is elected for a five-year term (reduced from seven years in April 2023)[18] in a single round of voting by plurality; whichever candidate places first is deemed elected, regardless of whether the candidate secured an absolute majority of votes. This system is thought to be a disadvantage to the fractious opposition, which would appear to have little chance of winning unless it unites behind a single candidate.[19]

The 143 members of the National Assembly are elected from single-member constituencies using the two-round system.[20]

The elections were held using double simultaneous vote system, with voters casting a single ballot for their preferred candidate for president and National Assembly.[21]

Candidates

19 candidates were approved by the Gabonese electoral congress for the 2023 presidential election.

PartyCandidate
RPMHugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier
PDGAli Bongo Ondimba (incumbent)
FPGGérard Ella Nguéma Mitoghé
IndependentJean Delors Biyogué Bi Ntougou
PPGJean Romain Fanguinoveny
PRCThérence Gnembou Moutsona
IndependentAxel Stophène Ibinga Ibinga
IndependentMike Steeve Dave Jocktan
IndependentVictoire Lasseni Duboze
PSDPierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou
FDRJoachim Mbatchi Pambo
IndependentAbel Mbombe Nzoundou
UNPaulette Missambo
MESPJean Victor Mouanga Mbadinga
IndependentEmmanuel Mvé Mba
IndependentThierry Yvon Michel N'goma
IndependentRaymond Ndong Sima
A23Albert Ondo Ossa[22]
IndependentGervais Oniane
Jean Ping, the former chair of the African Union Commission who received 48% of the vote in the 2016 presidential election, declined to stand, saying "I cannot be a candidate in an election that is a foregone conclusion".[23]

Conduct

The government announced the indefinite restriction of internet access and a nightly curfew on the evening of the election following the end of voting. The same day, the government suspended broadcasts of French media channels France 24, RFI, and TV5Monde.[24]

Results

President

The national electoral body announced on Wednesday, 30 August, that President Ali Bongo Ondimba, already in office for 14 years, won re-election for a third term with 64.27 percent of the vote.

According to Michel Stephane Bonda, head of the Gabonese Elections Centre, on state television, Bongo defeated his major competitor Albert Ondo Ossa, who received 30.77 percent of the vote, in a single round of voting, while 12 other candidates split the remaining votes. The voter turnout was 56.65%.[25]

National Assembly

The status of the Parliament of Gabon is unclear following the coup d'état four days after the general election.[26]

Aftermath

See main article: 2023 Gabonese coup d'état.

After Ali Bongo Ondimba's election victory was announced, a military-led coup took place, which annulled the results of the election.[27] [28]

The coup occurred just minutes after Bongo's re-election was declared at 3:30 am WAT by the Gabonese electoral commission with 64.27% of the vote. During a televised morning address from the Presidential Palace in Libreville[29] on the state channel Gabon 24, around a dozen military personnel announced the end of the existing regime, with a military spokesperson claiming to be speaking on behalf of a "Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions,"[30] [31] [32] citing "irresponsible, unpredictable governance" that had led to "a continuous degradation of social cohesion, risking pushing the country into chaos." They announced the annulment of the recent election, the dissolution of state institutions,[33] and the closure of the country's borders. Internet access, which had been cut since the election, was reported to have been restored.[34] Among the officers seen during the announcement were army colonels and members of the Republican Guard.[35]

Following the announcement of the coup, celebrations broke out in the streets of Libreville and in other cities across the country.[34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gabon: elections to be held on August 26. Africa News. 2023-06-27. Rédaction Africanews and AFP. 18 July 2023. 18 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230718142649/https://www.africanews.com/2023/06/27/gabon-elections-to-be-held-on-august-26//. live.
  2. Web site: 2022-03-13 . Gabon: Bongo promises to "be there" for next election . 2022-12-22 . Africanews . en . 22 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221222003607/https://www.africanews.com/2022/03/13/gabon-bongo-promises-to-be-there-for-next-election/ . live .
  3. Web site: Mouahidi . Khalid Al . Gabon 2023 presidential elections: President Ali Bongo promises that he "will be there" – Medafrica Times . 2022-12-22 . en-US . 22 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221222003604/https://medafricatimes.com/26034-gabon-2023-presidential-elections-president-ali-bongo-promises-that-he-will-be-there.html . live .
  4. Web site: Ali Bongo Re-elected As President Of Gabon: Official Results . 2023-08-30 . www.barrons.com . en-US . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830083737/https://www.barrons.com/news/ali-bongo-re-elected-as-president-of-gabon-official-results-9cddf976 . live .
  5. Web site: 2023-08-30 . Gabon's Ali Bongo re-elected president in disputed election . 2023-08-30 . France 24 . en . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830064122/https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20230830-gabon-s-ali-bongo-re-elected-president-in-disputed-election . live .
  6. Web site: 2023-08-30 . Gabon soldiers say Bongo 'regime' ended, borders closed . 2023-08-30 . Africanews . en . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830115355/https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/30/gabon-soldiers-say-election-result-cancelled-regime-ended/ . live .
  7. Web site: Gabonese soldiers stage coup, say election lacked credibility . 2023-08-30 . www.aljazeera.com . en . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830050716/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/30/gabon-military-officers-claim-power-say-election-lacked-credibility . live .
  8. Web site: 2023-06-27 . Gabon: élections présidentielle, législatives et locales le 26 août . 2023-08-31 . LEFIGARO . fr . 30 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630072613/https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/gabon-elections-presidentielle-legislatives-et-locales-le-26-aout-20230627 . live .
  9. https://www.yahoo.com/news/bongos-fate-balance-gabon-goes-polls-031021418.html Gabon opposition chief claims election victory
  10. https://www.yahoo.com/news/gabon-opposition-candidate-says-hes-winning-presidential-vote-142821755.html Gabon leader and top rival both claim presidential victory, allege fraud
  11. http://www.africanews.com/2016/08/30/gabon-s-interior-minister-postpones-announcement-of-presidential-polls-amid/ Gabon's interior minister postpones announcement of presidential polls amid tension
  12. Gerauds Wilfried Obangome, "Gabon's President Bongo re-elected, parliament set on fire", Reuters, 31 August 2016.
  13. Celia Lebur and Samir Tounsi, "Gabon parliament set ablaze after Bongo declared winner", Agence France-Presse, 31 August 2016.
  14. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/gabon-election-protests-ali-bongo-beats-jean-ping-160831183011584.html Gabon election: Protests as Ali Bongo beats Jean Ping
  15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37236253 Gabon election: Parliament set alight amid street clashes
  16. News: Gabon violence: Two killed amid protests over re-election of Ali Bongo . BBC News . 3 September 2016 . 2 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160902215155/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37257494 . live .
  17. Web site: 2022-12-13 . Gabon: l'opposition se met en ordre de marche pour des élections « sincères » en 2023 . 2022-12-22 . RFI . fr . 22 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221222003602/https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20221213-gabon-l-opposition-se-met-en-ordre-de-marche-pour-des-%C3%A9lections-sinc%C3%A8res-en-2023 . live .
  18. Web site: 2023-04-07 . Gabon: Presidential term reduced from seven to five years . 2023-07-24 . Africa News . en . 24 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230724213449/https://www.africanews.com/2023/04/07/gabon-presidential-term-reduced-from-seven-to-five-years/ . live .
  19. http://www.france24.com/en/20160229-gabon-president-ali-bongo-seek-second-term Gabon's President Ali Bongo to seek second term in office
  20. http://www.gabonactu.com/communique-final-du-conseil-des-ministres-du-26-janvier-2018-tout-le-texte-decoupage-electoral/ Communiqué final du conseil des ministres du 26 janvier 2018 (Tout le texte + découpage électoral)
  21. Web site: Gabon election: President Ali Bongo aims for third term. BBC News. 26 August 2023. 26 August 2023. 26 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230826233756/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66620070. live.
  22. Web site: Yves Laurent Goma . 2023-08-18 . Gabon: Albert Ondo Ossa, candidat unique et "consensuel" de l'opposition pour la présidentielle . Radio France internationale . 23 August 2023 . 24 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230824090738/https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20230818-gabon-albert-ondo-ossa-candidat-unique-et-consensuel-de-l-opposition-pour-la-pr%C3%A9sidentielle . live .
  23. Web site: 2023-07-13 . L'Entretien - Jean Ping : "Je ne peux pas être candidat à une élection qui est pipée d'avance" . 2023-08-31 . France 24 . fr . 31 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230831111205/https://www.france24.com/fr/%C3%A9missions/l-entretien/20230713-jean-ping-je-ne-peux-pas-%C3%AAtre-candidat-%C3%A0-une-%C3%A9lection-qui-est-pip%C3%A9e-d-avance . live .
  24. Web site: Tasamba . James . 2023-08-29 . Internet blackout continues in Gabon amid delays in release of election results . 2023-08-29 . Anadolu Agency . 29 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230829155322/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/internet-blackout-continues-in-gabon-amid-delays-in-release-of-election-results/2978061 . live .
  25. Web site: 2023-08-30 . Ali Bongo Re-elected As President Of Gabon: Official Results . 2023-08-30 . Barrons . en . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830083737/https://www.barrons.com/news/ali-bongo-re-elected-as-president-of-gabon-official-results-9cddf976 . live .
  26. News: Beaumont . Peter . 2023-08-30 . Gabon military officers declare coup after Ali Bongo wins disputed election . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-08-30 . 0261-3077 . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830080603/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/30/gabon-coup-military-takeover-gabonese-election-disputed . live .
  27. News: 2023-08-30 . Gabon military officers declare coup after Ali Bongo wins disputed election . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-08-30 . 0261-3077 . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830080603/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/30/gabon-coup-military-takeover-gabonese-election-disputed . live .
  28. Web site: 2023-08-30 . Gabon Military Officers Declare Coup . 2023-08-30 . VOA . en . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830082626/https://www.voanews.com/a/gabon-military-officers-declare-coup-/7246936.html . live .
  29. Web site: Diekhans . Antje . Nach Präsidentschaftswahl: Militär stürzt Regierung in Gabun . 30 August 2023 . tagesschau . de . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830110620/https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/afrika/gabun-militaer-104.html . live .
  30. News: Jake . Kwon . Jessie . Yeung . Alex . Stambaugh . Niamh . Kennedy . Stephanie . Halasz . Sana . Noor Haq. 30 August 2023 . Gabon military officers claim to have seized power after election . en . CNN . 31 August 2023 . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830064634/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/30/africa/gabon-military-officers-say-power-seized-election-intl-hnk/index.html . live .
  31. Web site: 30 August 2023 . Gabon: Ali Bongo réélu pour un 3e mandat, des militaires veulent annuler les résultats . 31 August 2023 . . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830064635/https://www.bfmtv.com/international/afrique/gabon-ali-bongo-reelu-pour-un-3e-mandat-des-militaires-veulent-annuler-les-resultats_AD-202308300056.html . live . fr.
  32. Web site: 30 August 2023 . Au Gabon, des militaires proclament l'annulation des élections après l'annonce de la victoire d'Ali Bongo . 30 August 2023 . . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830045603/https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2023/08/30/au-gabon-ali-bongo-ondimba-reelu-president-avec-64-27-des-suffrages-exprimes_6187021_3212.html . live .
  33. Web site: 30 August 2023 . Gabon: après l'annonce de la réélection d'Ali Bongo, des militaires proclament l'annulation du scrutin . 30 August 2023 . . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830064122/https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20230830-gabon-ali-bongo-r%C3%A9%C3%A9lu-pour-un-troisi%C3%A8me-mandat . live .
  34. Web site: Wright . George . Armstrong . Kathryn . 30 August 2023 . Gabon: Army officers say they are taking power . 30 August 2023 . . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830045955/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66654965 . live .
  35. Web site: 30 August 2023 . Gabon soldiers say Bongo 'regime' ended, borders closed . 30 August 2023 . . 30 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830115355/https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/30/gabon-soldiers-say-election-result-cancelled-regime-ended/ . live .

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