Regulation
The First Round of Gabon’s Legislative and Local Elections
The initial round of Gabon’s legislative and local elections commenced on Saturday, following a 10-day campaign period. Approximately 1,600 candidates are contesting for 145 parliamentary seats, while around 17,000 individuals are competing for municipal and departmental positions.
The elected councilors from this election will have the responsibility of selecting mayors, heads of departmental assemblies, and senators.
This election represents a significant step in the political transition following the conclusion of the Bongo family’s over 50-year rule, which ended with a coup in 2023. Brice Oligui Nguema, leader of the coup, secured a decisive victory in the presidential election held in April, marking the first such election since the coup.
Over twenty political parties are participating in the election, including the Democratic Union of Builders led by President Brice Oligui Nguema, and the Gabonese Democratic Party, founded by former president Omar Bongo.
The Interior Ministry has stated that measures have been put in place to ensure that the voting process is free, fair, and transparent, with international observers monitoring the proceedings.
