Idriss Deby wins fifth term in office with 61.56% of votes

Incumbent Chadian President, Idriss Deby Itno, has been declared winner of the presidential elections in the Central African country. The Electoral body said Deby won by 61.56% of votes cast.

The 63-year-old President now has the legal mandate to extend his 26-year rule by a fifth term, which would run for the next five years.

Voters were expected to choose between Deby and 3 other challengers including opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo who according to the results managed 12.8% of the votes having campaigned that Chad needed change.

Chad President Idriss Deby wins fifth term: election commission https://t.co/NgE04q43kr

— Emirates Times (@EmiratesTimes) April 21, 2016

Chad, despite its abundant oil wealth has about half of the 13 million population living in poverty. The country is also battling against Boko Haram insurgents who have carried out attacks in the country.

The opposition had earlier started preparing for a second round of polls claiming that there was no clear winner in the first round of polls.

The issue of some missing soldiers who reportedly voted against the incumbent also came up but the government dismissed the claims saying that nothing of the sort had happened.