Presidential election gets underway in Central African Republic Over 2 million voters head to poll

Voting has begun in the Central African Republic (CAR) as 2.3 million citizens are set to elect the president, members of parliament, and local authorities, The Guardian reports.

Across the country, 6,700 polling stations opened at 06:00 local time and will remain operational until 18:00.

Seven candidates are contesting the presidency, including incumbent Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who previously won elections in 2016 and 2020. A new constitution adopted in 2023 allows him to run for a third term. The presidential term is seven years, and a runoff will be held if no candidate secures an absolute majority.

Experts suggest Touadéra, representing the United Hearts Movement (MOUH), is the frontrunner. His main challengers are former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra.

Parliamentary elections are being held simultaneously for the 140-seat National Assembly. A total of 685 candidates are vying for seats, nearly half running as independents, while the remainder represent over 40 political parties. Observers predict that MOUH could retain its parliamentary majority; the party currently holds 61 seats.

By Khagan Isayev