Celebrating with supporters in San José, Fernández framed her victory as a decisive break with the political order established after the 1948 civil war. A close ally of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, she campaigned on a platform focused on public security and economic pressures, as Costa Rica faces rising homicides linked to organised crime alongside high living costs, unemployment and inflation.

Fernández’s platform emphasises continuity of President Rodrigo Chaves’s policies, including a tough stance on organised crime, bolstering national security and justice systems, and measures to attract foreign investment and modernise infrastructure. She has proposed stronger territorial control, support for the extradition of serious criminals, and improvements to logistics and public spending efficiency.

Alongside Fernández, Álvaro Ramos represents the National Liberation Party (PLN), one of Costa Rica’s traditional parties. An economist and experienced public administrator, Ramos has pitched his campaign around security reform and public services. His proposals include a “smart-security nerve centre” using technology to prevent crime, the recruitment of additional police officers, and initiatives to strengthen the healthcare and social security system, including community mental health centres. Ramos also seeks to modernise the legal framework to support public-private partnerships and sustainable economic activities.

On the centre‑left and progressive side, Ariel Robles of the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) focuses on equity, justice and social solidarity. His platform highlights policies to reduce inequality, expand access to quality education, and promote environmental sustainability integrated with urban and rural development. Robles seeks to mobilise voters looking for structural change and greater social protections.

Former first lady Claudia Dobles, of the Citizen Agenda Coalition (CAC), has also been a visible candidate, proposing increased education spending, technological modernisation of schools, and a National Police task force to bolster public security alongside cultural and community initiatives.

While Laura Fernández currently leads in polls and could secure a first‑round victory if she surpasses the required vote share, a large undecided bloc of voters remains, leaving the race open and unpredictable. Analysts note that fragmented support among opposition candidates and high levels of voter uncertainty could influence whether an outright win is possible or whether a runoff on 5 April will be needed.

Jeannette Jara, a former labour minister and Communist Party member, has focused her message on social welfare and equality. Alongside her emphasis on workers’ rights and gender equity, she has underscored access to quality healthcare and investment in renewable energy as central goals. Jara has spoken of strengthening primary healthcare, expanding home delivery of medicines for older adults and chronic patients, and increasing diagnostic equipment in local clinics — particularly mammography machines, given Chile’s high breast cancer prevalence.

Recent polls suggest Jara holds a narrow lead in first-round voting intentions, though Kast could benefit from a broader right-leaning coalition in a potential runoff. This reflects a deeply divided electorate, where competing visions — one prioritising state support and social protection, the other market freedom and border security — are shaping one of Chile’s most polarised elections in recent decades.

José Antonio Kast

Representing the Republican Party , Kast has focused on economic growth and security . He proposes strengthening Chile’s agricultural sector by improving irrigation infrastructure and modernising production technologies. Kast also emphasises public security, advocating for tougher measures against organised crime and reforms to enhance the efficiency of law enforcement.

Jeannette Jara

Representing Unidad por Chile , she prioritises sustainable development and social equity. Her platform includes promoting technologically advanced rural economies, supporting cooperatives, and ensuring that at least 40% of agro-industrial exports are certified for sustainability by 2028. Jara also highlights gender equality, access to quality healthcare, and investment in renewable energy as central goals.

Eduardo Artés

From PC Acción Proletaria , Eduardo Artés advocates for a more state-centric approach. He calls for increased state participation in agriculture and maritime production, transfer of large private landholdings to public ownership, and strong protections for small and medium farmers. Artés advocates for food sovereignty and aims to prohibit the use of harmful agrochemicals unless absolutely necessary.

Harold Mayne-Nicholls

Independent candidate, Harold Mayne-Nicholls, focuses on infrastructure, transparency, and decentralisation. He proposes improved regional development through investments in local infrastructure and education, alongside policies to increase citizen participation in governance and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Evelyn Matthei

Representing Chile Grande y Unido , she prioritises economic stability and pension reform. Her proposals include measures to attract foreign investment, create jobs, and enhance Chile’s social security system. Matthei also emphasises improvements in public healthcare and education while supporting fiscal responsibility.

Johannes Kaiser

Representing the Libertarian National Party , advocates for free-market policies. He plans to reduce government intervention in the economy, promote private sector-led job creation, and implement tax reforms designed to incentivise entrepreneurship. Kaiser also calls for individual liberties to be protected and for the judicial system to be strengthened.

Franco Parisi

Representing Partido de la Gente , he focuses on economic innovation and digital transformation. His agenda includes modernising public administration through technology, supporting small and medium enterprises, and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in international markets. Parisi also stresses the need for education reform and more efficient public services.

Marco Enríquez-Ominami

Representing the Progressive Party , he champions social inclusion and environmental sustainability. He proposes expanding renewable energy projects, supporting indigenous communities, and implementing social programmes to reduce poverty. Enríquez-Ominami also advocates for electoral reform and stronger protections for workers’ rights.

As Chileans prepare to cast their votes, these eight candidates offer a wide spectrum of policy approaches, reflecting the nation’s complex social, economic, and environmental challenges. The electorate faces a pivotal decision that will shape Chile’s trajectory for years to come.

“I want to thank more than two million people , probably 300,000 citizens, who put their trust in me and gave me this mandate as the new candidate of the Historic Pact for the next stage of this process,” Cepeda said during a press conference in Bogotá on Sunday, October 26.

Looking ahead to the campaign, Cepeda vowed to raise the level of political debate, rejecting the personal attacks that have long characterised Colombian politics . “I will not go to debates to exchange insults with other pre-candidates, nor to threaten or disparage one another,” he declared. “I challenge them to talk about ideas, proposals, and concepts for the country.”

He also urged opponents to maintain respect toward President Gustavo Petro, describing him as “deserving of all the respect in Colombia and in the world for the work he has done as head of state.” Cepeda’s victory consolidates his position as the left’s leading figure ahead of the May 2026 presidential election, where he is expected to campaign on Petro’s progressive legacy while seeking to broaden his appeal beyond the Historic Pact’s traditional base.

“This does not intimidate me,” Quiroga said during his concession speech. “No victory should make you arrogant, and no adversity should bend you. I am persistent and consistent. We will always be there to lend a shoulder; we never put obstacles in the way. Bolivia needs to move forward, and we will always do our part in that spirit.”

The former president, who governed Bolivia between 2001 and 2002, also expressed gratitude to his supporters and reiterated his congratulations to the Paz-Lara team for their work in both electoral rounds. He described the campaign as “an unprecedented experience” and praised the tone of democratic competition maintained throughout the process.

The October 19 defeat marks Quiroga’s fourth unsuccessful presidential bid. He previously ran in 2005, 2014, and 2020, losing each time to candidates from the left-wing Movement for Socialism (MAS), including Evo Morales and Luis Arce. Despite this, Quiroga emphasised that persistence and integrity remain at the heart of his political journey.

As Bolivia prepares for a new administration under Rodrigo Paz Pereira, Quiroga urged unity and collaboration. “We have had 20 years of destruction, and it is necessary for Bolivia to move forward,” he said. “Our role now is to help rebuild, not divide.”

This concludes our live coverage of the October 12, 2025, Cameroon elections. Polls have been closed for over 4 hours across various centres in the country as vote counting continues. According to reports, the Constitutional Council will declare the official outcome by October 26.

21:08 GMT+1 : 3 hours after polls closed, vote counting still continues across the various polling stations

20:39 GMT+1 : At Buea's St. Therese Nursery and Primary School, where the results from all ten polling places have not yet been signed, dozens of voters are still camped out. According to reports, officials have offered opposition representatives blank sheets to sign instead of allowing them to sign result sheets. Voters declare that until the results are signed, they will not depart.

19:25 GMT+1 : Half an hour after polls close, reports of voter exclusion in multiple polling centres surface, casting doubt on vote counting transparency

18:00 GMT+1: Voting ends. Counting — and waiting — begins for the people of Cameroon.

17:30 GMT+1 : Unofficial results from overseas polling stations show Issa Tchiroma Bakary securing a sizable lead over other contenders. Counts that have been reported so far were from Saudi Arabia, Kenya and UAE.

17:00 GMT+1: Cameroon National Citizens’ Movement candidate Jacques Bouhga Hagbe keys in his vote at the Government Bilingual Primary School Essos voting centre in Yaounde. He ran on a platform of solving Cameroon's economic woes, considering his experience as an economist with the International Monetary Fund.

16:50 GMT+1 : UNIVERSE party's Akere Muna Tabeng votes at the Government Bilingual Primary School Bastos in Yaounde. His candidacy had been cut short when he decided to back Bouba weeks before the election in an attempt to front a "consensus candidate" against Biya.

16:40 GMT+1 : Allegations of electoral fraud and ghost voters are swirling online. This is crucial in a country that has been described by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems as practicing "electoral autocracy," or when a government conducts elections regularly but fails to meet standards for democracy, freedom and fairness.

16:30 GMT+1: Situation in voting stations abroad, as some voters allege irregularities and rue strict rules at the embassy.

16:20 GMT+1 : Presidential bet Cabral Libii Li Ngue Ngue of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation casts his vote. A former journalist, Libii is a member of the Cameroonian parliament and is one of the youngest candidates at 45.

15:10 GMT+1 : Hiram Iyodi, the youngest presidential candidate this year at 38, casts his ballot in New Bell, Douala II Municipality. Running under the banner of the Cameroonian Democrats Front, Iyodi brings youth to the presidential race, whose median age is nearly 60.

14:50 GMT+1 : Lone female contender Hermine Njoya casts her vote at Njinka Public School in Foumban. Her candidacy marks only the third time a female has eyed the highest government position in Cameroon.

14:20 GMT+1: Presidential candidate Joshua Osih of the Social Democratic Front votes at Lycée Joss in Douala. At 56 years old, Osih is one of the leaders of Cameroon's main opposition party. He is also the first Anglophone Cameroonian to serve as a Parliamentarian in Douala, the country's economic capital.

14:10 GMT+1 : Voters share their experiences and hopes after casting their votes. More than 8 million have registered to vote this year, which equates to less than 30% of Cameroon's 29 million population.

13:50 GMT+1 : Lawyer and politician Maurice Kamto casts his vote. He had been widely considered the strongest challenger to Biya but was excluded from this year's list of candidates after his party, the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon, fell into disarray due to internal disputes that led to rival endorsements.

13:20 GMT+1 : Donning his signature blue suit, longtime President Paul Biya, who is also in the running this year, casts his vote at a polling station in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon. Biya is accompanied by his wife, Chantal.

13:00 GMT+1: Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary of the Cameroon National Salvation Front votes in Garoua. A former Biya ally, the 76-year-old former Cameroonian employment chief is seen as one of the most formidable opposition figures in the election, with a number of political parties backing his candidacy.

12:50 GMT+1: Presidential candidate Cabral Libii sounds the alarm over an alleged election violence incident in Hile Alifa B Public School, where a mayor supposedly smashed the phone of a representative from the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, who "opposes fraud."

11:20 GMT+1 : Opposition candidate Bella Bouba Maigari seals his vote at the polling station in Bascheo. A former Cameroonian prime minister, Bouba has had a close relationship with Biya, until he resigned in June to launch his candidacy against the incumbent leader. He is considered to have one of the strongest chances to topple Biya as candidates Akere Muna and Ateki Seta Caxton both withdrew from the race to back him.

11:20 GMT+1 : Bernard Okalia Bilai, the governor of Cameroon's southwest region, casts his vote. Bilai has been a key figure in managing the conflict between the country's Anglophone and Francophone regions, as well as in addressing separatist movements.

11:15 GMT+1 : Presidential candidate Serge Espoir Matomba of the United People for Social Renovation party casts his vote.

11:00 GMT+1: Reports from the ground indicate less than favorable weather conditions hounding Cameroon's elections. Despite this, no changes are expected or have been announced by the Elecam.

09:30 GMT+1: Biya is expected to vote today at the Government Bilingual Primary School Bastos in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde. He is registered there with his wife, Chantal Biya. 

08:00 GMT+1: Cameroon officially begins one of the most consequential elections in its history. Polling precincts will be open until 6 p.m. for the more than 8 million voters to cast their ballots.

Last-minute support for Biya, Tchiroma

Hours before polls opened, both President Paul Biya and opposition contender Issa Tchiroma secured crucial last-minute endorsements, as several political groups from across Cameroon’s spectrum declared their backing.

Tchiroma, one of the opposition’s “consensus candidates” running under the Cameroon National Salvation Front, gained the support of seven more parties after they withdrew their endorsement of the lone female contender, Hermine Njoya, on the evening of October 11.

“We believe he has genuinely repented and now embodies the change Cameroonians seek,” coalition spokesperson Shewa Jestel said.

But the endorsement underscored divisions within the opposition. The coalition criticised fellow opposition candidate Bella Bouba — also a former Biya ally — calling him an “extension of the regime.” Bouba had earlier won the backing of Akere Muna and Ateki Seta Caxton, who both pulled out of the race to support him.

Biya also drew fresh backing from 48 political parties, bolstering his push for another seven-year term — one that would extend his rule to half a century.

Cameroon warns opposition against ‘illegal’ election result announcements

Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, warned that any attempt by opposition candidates to independently publish election results will be treated as “high treason” and will be addressed through “retaliatory measures.” 

Nji made the remarks on Friday, 2 days before the October 12 vote.

Background

ELECAM, Cameroon's independent electoral body, reports that 8,010,464 voters, including 3,716,567 women and 4,293,897 men, are eligible to cast ballots at 31,653 polling stations.

34,411 out of the total registered voters are citizens abroad, dispersed across 108 polling stations.

Contenders and outcasts

This year’s election pits Biya against 11 candidates, drawn from a record 81 hopefuls. The Constitutional Court disqualified several bids, including that of Hilaire Marcaire Dzipan of the Progressive Movement (MP), whose initial approval by the election body was later revoked.

Another major exclusion was Maurice Kamto of the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon, widely regarded as Biya’s strongest challenger. Kamto, who came second in 2018 with 14% of the vote to Biya’s 71%, was barred from running.

Last month, the divided opposition pulled together behind two former ministers: Bello Bouba Maigari, once prime minister, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former employment chief. Both men were once allies of President Paul Biya, the 92-year-old who is seeking an eighth term that would extend his rule into its 50th year. Despite questions about the integrity of the vote, Biya remains among the leading contenders.

Bouba’s candidacy is backed by the UNIVERSE Party and the Liberal Alliance Party (PAL), alongside his own National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP). Tchiroma, meanwhile, has won support from other opposition figures, including Anicet Ekane of the Manidem Party.

Consolidation has long been seen as key to unseating Biya. Yet the loose unity now emerging has also raised concerns: rather than concentrating support, two northern candidates may divide it.

“Both say they will fight corruption and introduce structural reforms, but their strongest attribute seems to be their origins,” Cameroonian journalist Tony Vinyoh told Global South World. “They’re both from Cameroon’s three northern regions, the biggest voting bloc in the country. That has also led to fears they’ll split the vote and offer Biya victory.”

Bouba’s coalition only came together after Akere Muna and Seta Carson withdrew their own candidacies to back him. It is the first serious attempt in years to rally the opposition behind one figure after repeated failures to find a consensus.

The following candidates have been confirmed and validated for the October 12 vote:

Paul Biya (Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement)

Ateki Seta Caxton (Alliance Liberal Party)

Bella Bouba Magari (National Union for Democracy and Progress)

Jacques Bougha Hagbe (Cameroon National Citizen Movement)

Issa Tchiroma Bakary (Cameroon National Salvation Front)

Hiram Samuel Iyodi (Cameroonian Democrats Front)

Pierre Kwemo (Union of Socialist Movements)

Cabral Libii Li Ngue Ngue (Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation)

Serge Espoir Matomba (United People for Social Renovation)

Akere Tabeng Muna (Independent)

Joshua Nambangi Osih (Social Democratic Front)

Hermine Patricia Tomaino Epse Ndam Njoya (Cameroon Democratic Union)

Since the list’s release in July, the race has shifted. Akere and Seta have withdrawn to back Bouba, one of the leading opposition figures to have consolidated support. Another contender, Tchiroma, secured backing from the Manidem Party.

Both Bouba and Tchiroma are now seen as the top opposition candidates.

Biya’s dominance

To grasp the scale of Biya’s dominance, one must look to Cameroon’s history.

Biya is only the country’s second president, succeeding Ahmadou Ahidjo, who led from independence in 1960 until resigning in 1982. Ahidjo’s decision to appoint Biya as his successor backfired when the new president later had him tried and sentenced to death — a penalty later commuted to life imprisonment.

Cameroon has never held a presidential election without Biya on the ballot. In 1984, he ran unopposed when Cameroon was still a one-party state. When multiparty elections were introduced in 1992, Biya won with 40% — his narrowest margin. His vote share has not fallen below 70% since.

The world's oldest president, Cameroon's Paul Biya, is chasing an eighth seven-year term. But, there's a renewed opposition blocking his way.

Here’s how Biya won in all the elections he has participated in:

1984 - 100% of votes

1992 - 39.98% of votes

1997 - 92.57% of votes

2004 - 70.92% of votes

2011 - 77.99% of votes

2018 - 71.28% of votes

However, these numbers aren’t to be taken at face value. Nearly all elections have been mired in allegations of vote-rigging. As the International Crisis Group noted, “Given the likely magnitude of the election irregularities, it is almost impossible to determine what percentage of the vote each candidate really won.”

Cameroonian journalist Tony Vinyoh said such allegations have deepened public mistrust in the process.

“People don't trust the process,” he told Global South World. “I’ve talked to some parents, and they don't even want to register their kids.”

Out of a population of 28.3 million, only 8.2 million are registered to vote. Turnout has steadily declined: from 80% in 2004 to 68% in 2011, and just 54% in 2018, according to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

What’s at stake

For many, the October vote is about more than leadership — it’s about ending a culture that stifles dissent, discourages meritocracy, and sustains political dynasties as enduring as Biya’s.

“Stability, in Cameroon’s current context, is a deeply misleading term,” Cameroonian journalist Amindeh Atabong wrote in his column for Global South World. “It masks the profound erosion of civil liberties , the stifling of political dissent, and the lack of political will to reform electoral norms in order to sustain one man’s grip on power.”

Cameroon’s population is young, but its leadership is ageing. As problems in education, infrastructure, and the economy deepen, public frustration grows.

“People are worried about the state of their roads, the standards of education. There are parents who are worried about feeding their kids and sending them to school. They are worried about the training they will get in university and whether the training will be useful,” he said.

Elections like that of October 12 give Cameroon the appearance of democracy, but many say the reality remains far removed from its promise.

“Cameroon holds regular elections. It maintains a multiparty system. It boasts a constitutional council and an independent electoral body. But these structures have been hollowed out, their purpose repurposed to preserve a singular political dynasty. There is no viable path to power that doesn’t first pass through the gate Biya has locked shut,” Atabong said.

“Unless opposition leaders find a way to unify, unless citizens reclaim the democratic space stolen from them, Biya’s eighth term will not be his last.”

As Cameroonians prepare to cast their votes, the stakes extend far beyond the ballot box. The election has become a reckoning with decades of stagnation — a test of whether a new generation can reclaim the promise of democracy from the world’s oldest ruler, or whether the familiar machinery of power will once again tighten its hold.

“For close to 10 days now, I've been hearing about platforms created by a presidential candidate purportedly to count ballots in the 10 regions,” Nji said. “I've also learned through international media about a trade union that has set up a platform to count votes and announce the results of the presidential election.”

“There is equally an initiative by a young lawyer in Douala who has created an application to count votes and publish the election results,” he added. “I would like to call on all candidates, especially those conspiring with people of dubious character, with plans to activate these illegal platforms, to abandon this criminal initiative, which cannot prevail.”

The statement followed opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s call for President Paul Biya to concede defeat ahead of the vote. Nji accused Tchiroma of planning to declare himself president from his home village. 

“This candidate, who is nursing such outdated and diabolical ideas, should know that his house does not have armoured doors,” he said. “And that in the event of the least blunder, MinAd will take immediate action and law must prevail.”

Reiterating the state’s position, Nji stressed that “only the Constitutional Council has the authority to announce the results of the presidential election after resolving any election-related disputes.” He added that “any unilateral publication of election results is high treason” and warned that those attempting to self-proclaim victory “would have crossed the red line and should be ready to face retaliatory measures commensurate to their crime .”

Cameroon has been ruled by President Biya since 1982, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Twelve candidates are contesting this year’s election, but the opposition remains fragmented after failing to unite behind a single challenger to Biya, who is seeking another seven-year term at age 92.

What is clear so far is that October 12 will be a litmus test for Cameroon’s fragile democracy: It could either free itself from the grip of an ageing regime or slip further into the familiar rule of the 92-year-old Biya.

Contenders and outcasts

This year’s election pits Biya against 11 candidates, drawn from a record 81 hopefuls. The Constitutional Court disqualified several bids, including that of Hilaire Marcaire Dzipan of the Progressive Movement (MP), whose initial approval by the election body was later revoked.

Another major exclusion was Maurice Kamto of the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon, widely regarded as Biya’s strongest challenger. Kamto, who came second in 2018 with 14% of the vote to Biya’s 71%, was barred from running.

The following candidates have been confirmed and validated for the October 12 vote:

Since the list’s release in July, the race has shifted. Akere and Seta have withdrawn to back Bouba, one of the leading opposition figures to have consolidated support . Another contender, Tchiroma, secured backing from the Manidem Party. 

Both Bouba and Tchiroma are now seen as the top opposition candidates .

Biya’s dominance

To grasp the scale of Biya’s dominance , one must look to Cameroon’s history.

Biya is only the country’s second president, succeeding Ahmadou Ahidjo, who led from independence in 1960 until resigning in 1982. Ahidjo’s decision to appoint Biya as his successor backfired when the new president later had him tried and sentenced to death — a penalty later commuted to life imprisonment.

Cameroon has never held a presidential election without Biya on the ballot. In 1984, he ran unopposed when Cameroon was still a one-party state. When multiparty elections were introduced in 1992, Biya won with 40% — his narrowest margin. His vote share has not fallen below 70% since.

Here’s how Biya won in all the elections he has participated in: 

However, these numbers aren’t to be taken at face value. Nearly all elections have been mired in allegations of vote-rigging. As the International Crisis Group noted, “Given the likely magnitude of the election irregularities, it is almost impossible to determine what percentage of the vote each candidate really won.”

Cameroonian journalist Tony Vinyoh said such allegations have deepened public mistrust in the process.

“People don't trust the process,” he told Global South World. “I’ve talked to some parents, and they don't even want to register their kids.”

Out of a population of 28.3 million, only 8.2 million are registered to vote. Turnout has steadily declined: from 80% in 2004 to 68% in 2011, and just 54% in 2018, according to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

What’s at stake

For many, the October vote is about more than leadership — it’s about ending a culture that stifles dissent, discourages meritocracy, and sustains political dynasties as enduring as Biya’s.

“Stability, in Cameroon’s current context, is a deeply misleading term,” Cameroonian journalist Amindeh Atabong wrote in his column for Global South World . “It masks the profound erosion of civil liberties, the stifling of political dissent, and the lack of political will to reform electoral norms in order to sustain one man’s grip on power.”

Cameroon’s population is young, but its leadership is ageing. As problems in education, infrastructure, and the economy deepen, public frustration grows.

“People are worried about the state of their roads, the standards of education. There are parents who are worried about feeding their kids and sending them to school. They are worried about the training they will get in university and whether the training will be useful,” he said.

Elections like that of October 12 give Cameroon the appearance of democracy, but many say the reality remains far removed from its promise.

“Cameroon holds regular elections. It maintains a multiparty system. It boasts a constitutional council and an independent electoral body. But these structures have been hollowed out, their purpose repurposed to preserve a singular political dynasty. There is no viable path to power that doesn’t first pass through the gate Biya has locked shut,” Atabong said. 

“Unless opposition leaders find a way to unify, unless citizens reclaim the democratic space stolen from them, Biya’s eighth term will not be his last.”

As Cameroonians prepare to cast their votes, the stakes extend far beyond the ballot box. The election has become a reckoning with decades of stagnation — a test of whether a new generation can reclaim the promise of democracy from the world’s oldest ruler, or whether the familiar machinery of power will once again tighten its hold.

Biya is seeking an eighth, seven-year term. To call him a fixture in Cameroonian politics is an understatement — he is only the second president the country has had since gaining independence from France and Britain in the 1960s.

The October 12 race pits Biya against 11 challengers, though past elections have been dogged by allegations of fraud and irregularities widely seen as designed to keep him in power. For many Cameroonians, that has eroded faith in the system.

“People don't trust the process,” said Tony Vinyoh, a Cameroonian journalist, in an interview with Global South World. “I’ve talked to some parents, and they don't even want to register their kids.”

Then there’s the elephant in the room that is Biya’s health . Last year, the ageing president vanished from public view for 42 days, sparking debate over whether he remains fit to lead a nation grappling with an armed insurgency and lagging behind many of its African neighbours in development.

For many Cameroonians, the solution is simple: change. Any change.

“There's a sense among the general population that anybody who comes next will be better,” Vinyoh said. “We want change, and we don't care who gets to lead the country.”

Stasis and stagnation

In more than four decades in power, Biya has survived attempted coups, Boko Haram attacks, and the ongoing conflict between Cameroon’s French- and English-speaking regions, a crisis that traces back to the country’s colonial past.

But his government has struggled to resolve many of Cameroon’s most pressing problems. The country’s poverty rate has barely budged in 20 years, with four in ten Cameroonians still living below the poverty line. Economic growth is slowing, leaving households struggling with rising food prices.

For a country known as an agricultural producer, Cameroon is also increasingly dependent on imports. In 2021, food imports made up nearly a quarter of consumption, and rice imports alone accounted for an astonishing 75%.

Vinyoh said this sense of stagnation has left many Cameroonians feeling left behind.

“Cameroonians are scared that they are getting left behind while the rest of the world is moving forward, advancing in infrastructure, technology, trade, and opening up to other African countries,” he said. 

Biya’s hands-off approach to governance has done little to ease those fears. The president rarely convenes his cabinet; during his current term, there was a period of nearly three years without a single cabinet meeting.

But perhaps the most intractable problem in Cameroon is corruption, a force arguably more enduring than Biya himself. In 2024, Cameroon ranked 140th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, making it one of the most corrupt nations in the world.

“I wish there was a better way to describe it,” Vinyoh said, “but corruption is just part of Cameroonian life.”

The man and the myth

Cameroon is a young country: more than 60 per cent of its population is under 25. Many have never known life without Biya in control, a fact that fuels speculation about what might follow his eventual departure.

For Vinyoh, this and Biya’s elusive nature have contributed to his mythology among Cameroonians.

“He’s a bit of a god,” the journalist said. “You don’t get to see and meet the man.”

“I think people don't give him enough credit. He's a very brilliant man. He's smart. You don't stay in power for 50 years if you're not a very smart man,” he said. “He's good at knocking heads together.”

Now the pressure is on for the opposition to break that myth, and for Biya to prove that he is still capable of leading a nation on edge.

Observers say the opposition’s best chance lies in uniting behind a single candidate, but so far it has failed to do so. On September 13, opposition parties were expected to announce a consensus candidate, but the effort collapsed.

The opposition has also been weakened by the exclusion of Maurice Kamto, widely seen as Biya’s strongest rival. Barred due to alleged irregularities in party nominations, Kamto is now urging the remaining opposition parties to unite behind one contender.

“That shows you just how divided the opposition is,” Vinyoh said. “They have not been able to sit down and vote. They don't talk among themselves, that's a uniquely Cameroonian thing.”

The October 12 election could decide whether Biya’s 42-year grip on power remains unbroken, or whether a splintered opposition can finally shatter it. For many Cameroonians, however, the stakes go far beyond politics.

“People are worried about the state of their roads, the standards of education. There are parents who are worried about feeding their kids and sending them to school. They are worried about the training they will get in university and whether the training will be useful,” Vinyoh said.

“It's a country that's worried about its future.”

In contrast to the uncertainties, violence, and turmoil that have marred several general elections around the world this year, Mozambique remains calm.

"I hope that there will be no violence and that life goes back to normal, as it has always been," said Takito Joao.

Mozambique began counting votes on Wednesday, October 9, following tense presidential and parliamentary elections, expected to allow the ruling Frelimo party to extend its 49-year hold on power.

Vote tallying commenced shortly after polling stations closed at 6:00 pm local time (1600 GMT), with initial results anticipated in about two weeks.

Projections ahead of the polls indicate that the ruling Frelimo party is likely to retain its grip on power.

President Filipe Nyusi is concluding his tenure after two terms, with Daniel Chapo set to succeed him as the party's candidate. Frelimo, which has governed Mozambique since its independence from Portugal in 1975, first allowed elections in 1994.

Since then, the party has consistently faced allegations of election rigging from opponents and observers, accusations it firmly denies.

Luz Renginfo, a housekeeper in Caracas, expressed the deep frustration many feel about the country’s political situation. “Truly, we don’t have hope, we don’t have it. But the only thing I ask of God is that Venezuela becomes what it once was,” she is quoted by AFP.

For Nelson Sosa, a 60-year-old resident, Gonzalez Urrutia’s decision to flee was a wise move. "I think it was the best thing to do because if he stayed, he would have been arrested, so it was better for him to leave," Sosa said.

However, Fanny Perdomo, an accountant living in Caracas, believes the situation could have been avoided. “If Gonzalez Urrutia had acted properly following the declaration of President Nicolas Maduro as the winner of the July 28 elections, he would not have had to ask for political asylum. But since he did not show up the times the government institutions solicited his presence, there must have been a reason,” Perdomo explained.

Gonzalez Urrutia, who has challenged President Maduro’s victory, arrived in Spain at the Torrejon de Ardoz military base with his wife, according to a statement by Spain’s foreign ministry. His departure follows an arrest warrant issued by Venezuelan authorities, accusing him of conspiracy and other charges.

Despite claims by the Venezuelan government, many international powers, including the U.S. and the EU, view the 75-year-old opposition leader as the legitimate winner of the disputed election.

Speaking after submitting his application, Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya party, expressed hopes for significant change through the democratic process. "So today we have embarked on a heartbreaking democratic process, which we hope will be a people-led, people-oriented, democratic, peaceful revolution, which will bring about positive change, substantive change, progressive change," Premadasa told AFP.

R.M.A.L. Rathnayake, head of the election commission, confirmed the acceptance of all 39 applications, noting that over 17 million Sri Lankans are eligible to vote.

The high number of candidates highlights the stakes of the election, which many see as a referendum on the economic reforms initiated by current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Wickremesinghe, who is seeking reelection, addressed the media outside a heavily guarded election commission office. "I have stabilised the economy. I have increased production. So they have food to eat, they have fuel to travel around. But it's not over yet. Life can be hard for some people. We have to stabilise the economy. So what we are saying is, let's go ahead and finish this job. And that's why I'm asking for your support," he said.

Although Wickremesinghe’s reforms have shown improvement in key economic indicators, their positive impact is yet to be felt by many ordinary citizens. The country remains in the midst of a critical debt restructuring and financial reform programme under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, as reported by AP News .

The previous presidential race in 2019 saw 35 candidates vying for the position. The election was won by former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who then went on to resign from his post in 2022.

"What’s in these much-talked-about records that have caused such hysteria? They could even make a Netflix series: 'The Records in Venezuela: Collective Hysteria,'" Rodriguez remarked, mocking the global attention. 

She went on to apologise to the French ambassador, jesting that the controversy over the records has even "overshadowed the Olympics in France."

Rodriguez’s comments come amid widespread criticism and scepticism from foreign governments regarding the transparency and legitimacy of Venezuela’s recent electoral process.

This is the end of our live coverage. Thank you for following. Follow GSW for updates and final declaration of the election results by the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela.

1120 GMT: Preliminary and official vote results are yet to be released. However, election exit polls from international research firm Edison Research which operates in more than 66 countries globally indicate a 61% vote lead for Edmundo González and 31% for Nicolás Maduro.

1119 GMT: Polls in Venezuela are officially closed.

1105 GMT: Here are some photos from various voting centres and stations including those abroad where Venezuelans voted.

1055 GMT: There were allegations of voters getting stranded and refused a chance to vote at some polling stations including the Concentrada #54 in the municipality of José Maria Vargas just hours before closing the voting day.

1049 GMT: Some voters remained stranded at Agustín Tovar y Tovar School, unable to cast their votes earlier in the day.

1040 GMT: Vice President of the Electoral Power, Carlos Quintero earlier assured that respect for the popular will is guaranteed in the Presidential Election.

0957 GMT: According to Agencia Venezuela News, an international observer has confirmed free and fair elections amidst firm security.

"I have never seen anything like this, a lot of transparency and protection that is nothing like what we have in the US, the elections were stolen there while here there are fair and free elections," Jackson Hinkle was quoted.

0930 GMT: Polling stations including the José Ávalos, Pedro Emilio Coll, Fray Pedro de Agreda and Luis Cárdenas Saavedra high schools in the El Valle and Coche parishes recorded very low number of voters around 0930 GMT after high participation earlier.

0924 GMT: "Go out and vote," Maduro urges citizens as elections near closing.

0812 GMT: Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela (GNB) officials arrived at the CEI Prados del Sol, in Araure to picket at the entrance of the voting centre.

0718 GMT: Here are some photos of Machado from her voting centre.

0713 GMT: “We need everyone to remain present at their voting centres. Let the witnesses know that they are not alone, that the community is around them,” Machado as she addressed the crowd after voting.

0640 GMT: The moment when former Opposition Candidate Maria Corina Machado cast her vote in Los Chorros, Caracas.

0630 GMT: A citizen is captured on video writing down voters' ID numbers at a polling centre. Security team Plan República arrests her for committing this crime.

0536 GMT: Earlier reports suggest that the doors at José Carrillo Moreno EBP in the municipality of #Tinaco were closed; voters were left stranded for hours.

0524 GMT: Venezuelans gather during Venezuela's election voting day in Bogota, Colombia.

0520 GMT: People cast their votes at the Venezuelan Embassy in Santiago, Chile.

0502 GMT: Former Opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado visited selected voting centres in Caracas earlier.

0453 GMT: Earlier reports from the Boca Caneyes Educational Unit in the Guasimos municipality indicate that there was a halt of the voting process with allegations that voters were asked to hand over their ID to the Plan República when entering the voting centre.

0449 GMT: Gonzalez announced his vote on his X page. "I already voted for each and every one of you. Go Venezuela!".

0443 GMT: Opposition candidate Edmundo González and candidate of the Democratic Unitary Platform has cast his vote at the Colegio Santo Tomás de Villanueva. He arrived in his yellow Volkswagen to exercise his right to vote.

0421 GMT: Some Venezuelans who have voted take to social media to share their sentiments. Here are a few tweets:

0424 GMT: Scores gather in El Hatillo municipality in Venezuela to cast their votes

0355 GMT: People wait to vote in Venezuela Tachira state bordering Colombia

People form long queues outside polling stations in the state of Tachira, as Venezuelans vote between the continuity of President Nicolas Maduro or change with rival Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia amid high tension after the incumbent threatened a "bloodbath" if he loses.

0257 GMT: Venezuelans wait outside the consulate to vote in Mexico City

0250 GMT: Opposition candidate is booed at voting centre

As presidential candidate Daniel Ceballos arrived to vote at a school in downtown Caracas, a large group of opposition supporters shouted, “Get out! Get out! Get out! Traitor!”

Ceballos, who led anti-Maduro protests in 2014 demanding the president’s resignation shortly after his election and was imprisoned for his strong opposition to the government, is now running as a presidential candidate.

0246 GMT: The only requirement for voting is an identity card

President of the National Electoral Council, Elvis Amoroso reiterates that no dress code or use of masks is required to exercise the right to vote. "The only requirement is the identity card, even if it has expired."

0203 GMT: 95% of polling stations are open

President of the National Electoral Council, Elvis Amoroso, announced that 95% of voting centres across Venezuela are currently open.

0158 GMT: Venezuelans destroy Chavista placed near polling stations as a form of intimidation and shout, “Freedom! Freedom!”

0138 GMT: Volunteers from the pro-government and opposition parties confront electoral centre in Caracas

0122 GMT: Maduro apologizes for denying entry to former presidents who would observe elections

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro apologised on Saturday for vetoing the group of former presidents, congressmen and former parliamentarians who were prevented from entering the country to observe Sunday's presidential elections after being invited by the opposition.

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino on Friday accused the Venezuelan authorities of blocking a flight carrying a group of former Latin American presidents hoping to observe Venezuela's weekend elections.

1243 GMT: Venezuelans vote in the country's presidential election

1230 GMT: A group arrives on motorbikes, and tries to intimidate voters

1218 GMT: Government officials block Party representatives from observing at voting centre

More than an hour after polling stations were supposed to open, at least eight party representatives authorized by the National Electoral Council to oversee operations at the largest voting centre in Caracas were denied entry.

The government officials at the door claimed that all necessary personnel were already inside.

Marlyn Hernandez, the voting centre coordinator, said she “did not know” why the authorized party representatives were being denied entry to the school, where over 11,000 people are registered to vote.

1210 GMT: Venezuelans vote in the country's presidential election

1206 GMT: Maduro says he will respect election results

“No one is going to create chaos in Venezuela. I recognize and will recognize the electoral referee, the official announcements and I will make sure they are recognized," Maduro said after casting his vote.

He also urged the other nine candidates to respect and publicly declare their commitment to accepting the official announcement of the election winner.

1200 GMT: Some polling stations are yet to open

Polling stations in Venezuela were scheduled to open at 6 a.m. today, but reports indicate that some locations have yet to begin operations.

1131 GMT: Venezuelans are set on voting Maduro out

As Venezuelans head to the polls to cast their votes, many do so with the hope of ending President Nicolás Maduro's 11-year tenure.

The country has struggled with a severe economic crisis, marked by hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, and mass emigration. For many Venezuelans, the upcoming election represents a critical opportunity to change the country's trajectory.

"We can't continue like this," said Maria Fernandez, a teacher in Caracas. "We need new leadership to rebuild our nation."

1127 GMT: Maduro addresses the media after casting his vote

"The day arrived, I said it was going to arrive in peace and it arrived in peace. Today must be a day, in the name of God, in Venezuela good triumphs, by doing good," Maduro said.

1045 GMT: Maduro casts his vote

Shortly after the polls opened, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and presidential candidate accompanied by his wife cast his vote at Fort Tiuna in Caracas, the largest military base in the country.

1039 GMT: Polls open in Venezuela

Venezuelans who had queued up hours before polls were scheduled to open can now cast their votes.

1033 GMT: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has urged Venezuelans to vote.

1004 GMT: Expatriates participate in a protest

Expatriates participate in a protest asking for freedom to vote during the Venezuelan presidential election, outside the Cultural Center Fernando de los Rios, in Madrid, Spain.

0931 GMT: Venezuelans hold vigil at voting centres

Thousands of Venezuelans across the country are holding vigils for democracy at voting centres. These vigils reflect the enthusiasm and commitment of citizens at a crucial moment for the future of Venezuela.

0737 GMT : Venezuelan expatriates participate in the elections.

0451 GMT : Venezuelans wait outside a closed voting station to vote.

July 27 1957 GMT: Venezuelans express their views on the upcoming election.

July 26 1729 GMT : The CNE prepares voting stations ahead of the presidential election.

Polls are expected to open at 6:00 a.m. local time (1000 GMT) and to close at 6:00 p.m. local time (2200 GMT on Sunday).

ELECTIONS BACKGROUND

Venezuelans are going to vote for a leader in the presidential elections. This follows the over 11-year rule of incumbent president Nicolas Maduro who assumed his position as president in 2013, following the sudden death of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

This election follows the last election in the country which came off in 2018, during which Maduro won 67.8% of the votes amid a significant opposition boycott.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) has confirmed 10 candidates are running for the presidency.

The outcome of the elections will determine the South American country’s political and economic landscape over the next six years. It is also vital for the future of the close to 8 million Venezuelans who have fled the country since 2013 over the economic crisis in the country.

President Maduro’s name appears 13 times on the ballot for Sunday’s elections, each appearance signifies every political group he represents in the election. He takes up the first four rows and leaves the rest of the slots for other candidates to share. His closest contender Eduardo González appears three times on the ballot while Luis Eduardo Martinez who represents Democratic Action and is considered a government ally shows up six times.

Polls are expected to open at 6 am (GMT-4) and close when the last person casts their votes. Polls have closed around 6 pm (GMT-4) in previous times but this may differ depending on how the process goes during the day.

Candidates

10 candidates are vying for the presidency in the upcoming elections.

The main candidates in the election are Nicolas Maduro 61, who is the current president and represents the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, 74, who is a candidate for Plataforma Unitaria Democratica (PUD) and represents the opposition. He is an academic and former diplomat and became a replacement for María Corina Machado who was the party’s previous candidate chosen to unseat Maduro.

Other candidates include Luis Eduardo Martinez who represents Democratic Action, Daniel Ceballos of the AREPA party, Antonio Ecarri of LAPIZ, Benjamin Rausseo of the CONDE Party, and Jose Brito Rodriguez who represents Venezuela First. The others are Claudio Fermin of Solutions for Venezuela, Javier Bertucci from Hope for Change, and Enrique Marquez of CENNTRADOS.

Electoral system

The President of Venezuela is elected by a simple majority vote and serves a six-year term. Voting in Venezuela is digital and can be audited at all stages. According to the National Electoral Commission, the voting process is fully automated. The Comprehensive Authentication System (SAI) allows the voter to activate a voting machine with their fingerprints after which the voter can cast their vote directly by pressing the VOTE option on the machine’s screen or the electronic ballot.

The individual’s vote is stored randomly in the machine’s memory and is recorded subsequently in the printed tally sheets. Voters also get physical receipts that confirm their voting choice. These receipts are supposed to be put in a provided ballot box to be used for comparison with the data on the tally sheets.

At the end of the day, the machine prints a record of results — in front of electoral witnesses — and then sends the data by telephone or satellite to the counting centre.

Voter eligibility

Citizens who are 18 years old and above are eligible to vote in Venezuela if they are registered on the voters' register and are not subjected to disenfranchisement. This includes nationals residing both in the country and abroad. However, there have been concerns about the registration of nationals abroad for the voting exercise. Out of the close to 8 million Venezuelans living outside the country, official figures from the country's electoral authority show just under 68,000 are registered to vote abroad. Their inability to register, according to voter advocacy groups is a result of closed consulates and high demands for documents.

Security

According to the National Electoral Council, more than 380 thousand officials of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) will be deployed throughout the national territory to fulfil their duty to guard and ensure security during the electoral process.

This is the end of our live coverage. Thank you for following. Follow GSW for updates and final declaration of the election results by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Rwanda.

2000 GMT : Preliminary results from the National Electoral Commission (NEC), after counting 79% of the votes, indicate another resounding victory for Paul Kagame. NEC announced that Paul Kagame received 99.15% of the votes, while Dr. Frank Habineza secured 0.53%, and Philippe Mpayimana garnered 0.32%.

1900 GMT: The preliminary results of the presidential election will be announced on the national radio and television at 10:00pm, NEC says.

1621 GMT : Rwandans share expectations after voting.

1630 GMT : Kagame and his party, RPF Inkotanyi, lead the vote count at a polling station in Kabeza, Kicukiro, Kigali.

1500 GMT : Counting officially commences as polls close in many polling stations across the country. Many polling stations were reported to have completed the exercise by 3 p.m., the time officially set by the National Electoral Commission (NEC). However, in some areas, an extension was granted to allow people still in the queues a chance to cast their ballots.

1400 GMT : Partial results to be announced by evening of July 15, the NEC says.

1300 GMT : Polls are expected to have officially closed by now, according to the NEC. Vote counting should begin right after voting stops.

1245 GMT: Persons with disability are assisted to vote in the ongoing process.

1234 GMT: Less than an hour to go before polls close. Voters continue to wait in line to cast their votes.

1107 GMT: President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame cast their votes.

1100 GMT : Voters continue to wait in line to cast their votes some two hours before polls officially close.

0920 GMT: Voting has passed the halfway mark as Rwandans continue to cast their votes at various polling stations across the nation. Voter turnout is high.

0912 GMT: Presidential candidate Frank Habineza after casting his vote, tells the press he is confident of securing a win in the elections. He added that the voting process "is a very good show of the level of growth and democracy" in Rwanda.

0855 GMT : Some voters encounter challenges updating their location in the online voter registry system.

0836 GMT : Presidential candidate Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda casts his vote.

0826 GMT : Independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana casts his vote at a polling station in Kigali.

0814 GMT: 3 hours on and voting continues across polling stations nationwide.

0746 GMT : Sisters of President Kagame voted at a polling station in Gasabo a district in Kigali.

0745 GMT : Voters line up at the SOS Kinyinya Polling Station where President Paul Kagame, the RPF presidential candidate is expected to cast his vote.

0740 GMT : Ian Kagame, first son of President Paul Kagame casts his vote at the SOS Kinyinya Polling Station where his father is also expected to vote.

0714 GMT : Over two hours of voting have taken place with no sign of violence in any of the polling stations. Elections carry on peacefully as Rwandans continue to cast votes.

0643 GMT : Voting takes place peacefully at a polling station in Gasabo, a district in the capital city of Kigali.

0652 GMT : Some polling stations provide breakfast to voters.

0636 GMT : Voting continues to take place an hour and a half since polls officially opened.

0616 GMT : First-time voters and early voters share their experiences.

0551 GMT : Some voters have cast their ballots as others line to vote less than an hour after polls opened.

0500 GMT : Voting is expected to start at this time nationwide as polls officially open.

0400 GMT : Rwandans arrive early at polling stations to vote.

July 14 : Rwandans abroad cast their votes.

Polls open at 7:00 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) and close at 3:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT on Monday).

ELECTIONS BACKGROUND

Rwanda has had five presidents since the establishment of the office. The current president, Paul Kagame of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), who has been in power since 2000 after having played a pivotal role in ending the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, is seeking a fourth term.

Following a constitutional referendum in December 2015, the previous two-term limit on the presidency was lifted, allowing Kagame to run for a third seven-year term and potentially for two additional five-year terms.

The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has confirmed two other candidates to run alongside Kagame: Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.

In addition to the presidential race, up to 589 candidates are competing for 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies. Over nine million Rwandans are registered to vote in these elections, with two million being first-time voters. The NEC has set up about 2,600 polling stations, including 160 stations for Rwandans in the diaspora who cast their votes on Sunday, July 14.

Special interest groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, will have their parliamentary elections on Tuesday, July 16.

Preparation for the elections began on Friday, July 12, with the distribution of voter materials. The NEC dispatched ballot papers, voter lists, and electoral ink to all districts across the country. Additionally, more than 1,000 local and foreign election observers have been accredited by the NEC.

Vote counting is scheduled to commence immediately after voting concludes.

Candidates

Paul Kagame

President Paul Kagame, leader of the RPF and a dominant figure in Rwandan politics, is expected to secure a fourth term. He has faced criticism from opposition groups and international watchdogs for his administration's crackdown on dissent. Kagame was Rwanda's vice president and de facto leader from 1994 to 2000, after which he officially became president. He has been re-elected multiple times (2000, 2003, 2010, and 2017) and is largely unchallenged in his leadership.

Frank Habineza

Frank Habineza, the founder and president of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), is one of Kagame's opposition. Habineza has a history of political activism and has faced major challenges, including fleeing to Sweden in 2010 due to safety concerns. Despite these, he successfully registered the DGPR in 2013.

Philippe Mpayimana

Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate and journalist, is also running against Kagame after having lived in exile since the 1994 genocide, primarily in France and Belgium. Mpayimana is hopeful about garnering support from the Rwandan diaspora.

Electoral system

The President of Rwanda is elected by a simple majority vote and serves a seven-year term. Initially limited to two terms, the constitution was amended in 2015 to allow for extended tenure, drawing international criticism.

Rwanda's bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, with both chambers representing the people, passing laws, and overseeing executive actions.

Voter eligibility

Every Rwandan aged 18 and above, who is registered on the voters' register and not subjected to disenfranchisement, is eligible to vote. This includes Rwandans residing both in the country and abroad. However, certain individuals, such as those convicted of serious crimes or those with mental illness, are prohibited from voting as per the electoral law.

What they said

Legal experts say that for former President Widodo’s son to run as deputy governor in Jakarta, changes will also have to be made to the regional election law.  "Since the age requirement is regulated in the regional election law, if there's any appeal, it should be filed to the Constitutional Court, not the Supreme Court," said legal expert Titi Anggraini. "So, Kaesang should not be able to register in the 2024 regional election," she was quoted as saying.

This is the end of our live coverage. Thank you for following. Follow GSW for updates on the results and final declaration on June 2.

22:15 GMT +2: Vote counting is underway and the IEC has announced the first batch of results. The delayed voting process is ongoing simultaneously with vote counting. The final election results are expected to be announced by the IEC on June 2.

19:00 GMT +2: Polls officially close in South Africa as hundreds queue to cast their votes due to widespread delay in the delivery of voting materials. The IEC tells presiding officers to drop faulty scanners, use manual voting and assist long queues. Those already in the line by 21:00 local time can still vote.

18:25 GMT +2: Warning shots fired in Thokoza after voters attempted to storm a polling station. Calm is restored.

18:00 GMT +2: One hour to the close of polls and the queues are getting longer. IEC addresses the media.

"We are experiencing a late surge and are processing a large number of voters in certain areas, particularly the metropolitan areas in Gauteng, Western Cape, KZN, and the Eastern Cape" - Chief Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission Sy Mamabolo. The IEC added that those in the queue before the close of the polls would be allowed to vote and they have beefed up their staff numbers to attend to all voters in the queue.

16:20 GMT +2: It is already dark and temperatures are dropping while people are in long queues waiting to vote.

16:00 GMT +2: Three hours to the close of polls at 9 pm and there are long lines of people in Kwazulu Natal and other provinces waiting to vote. The IEC has announced that people who are in queues at 21:00 will be allowed to vote.

16:00 GMT +2: Voting papers sent late by boat to a community in North Kwazulu Natal.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has sent voting papers by boat to the community of ENKovukeni in North Kwazulu Natal to ensure that people vote.

15:00 GMT +2: Five Eastern Cape voting stations closed due to protests

The Eastern Cape saw some voting stations closed down due to protests over electricity outages and lack of water, the IEC said. were some of the issues that delayed and, in some cases, prevented some voters from casting their votes at voting stations in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday.

Eastern Cape electoral officer, Kayakazi Magudumana, said five voting stations remained closed due to residents protesting over service delivery issues. The stations are Nokhatshile in the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality's Ward 2; Buhlambu in the Ntabankulu Local Municipality's Ward 17; Maggie in the Port St Johns Municipality's Ward 1; Sidanda in the Nyandeni Local Municipality's Ward 28; and Mavundleni in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality's Ward 28.

14:20 GMT +2: Several stores in the Johannesburg area are giving out gifts to voters as a token of appreciation.

Hudsons Burgers in Johannesburg is among the long list of stores that are offering free gifts and treats as a token of appreciation to those who take the time to cast their votes. Krispy Kreme said it had given 80 dozen (960) donuts to people who have voted so far. Lush was handing out bath bombs which ran out at 09:00. Others that are offering free gifts include Wimpy, Spur, Doppio Zero, Motherland Coffee and Sorbet.

14:15 GMT +2: International election observers have lauded the IEC for a smooth electoral process.

14:01 GMT +2: Concerns of voters roll machine failures in several regions raised. IEC urged to fix it to avoid delays.

14:00 GMT +2: Julius Malema speaks against extension of the election by a day.

14:00 GMT +2: Julius Malema of the EFF casts his vote.

13:56 GMT +2: International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor speaks to the press after casting her vote.

13:24 GMT +2: Voters still in queues by the close of polls will be assisted to vote.

12:57 GMT +2: Some voters share their election expectations.

12:07 GMT +2: Reports of a polling station located in western Cape Town running out of ballot boxes as voting continues in other parts.

11:57 GMT +2: Voters with special needs who were unable to vote on May 27 and 28 are allowed to vote.

11:16 GMT +2: Former President Jacob Zuma votes at a polling station in KwaZulu-Natal.

11:00 GMT +2: The Electoral Commission briefs the media on the progress of the elections.

10:31 GMT +2: Police Minister Bheki Cele says voting is going well in the country except in some parts of the Eastern Cape.

10:20 GMT +2: Julius Malema, leader of the opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) arrives at a polling station in Limpopo province to cast his vote.

10:02 GMT +2: Former President Thabo Mbeki votes in Johannesburg.

09:11 GMT +2: First-time voters share their experience.

09:07 GMT +2: Voting is still ongoing as queues move along.

08:24 GMT +2: President Cyril Ramaphosa and First Lady Tshepo Motsepe vote at a polling station in Soweto.

08:03 GMT +2: Wife of former President Jacob Zuma, Sizakele Zuma votes.

07:57 GMT+2: Voting continues 2 hours after polls opened.

07:53 GMT+2: John Steenhuisen, leader of the opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) votes.

07:46 GMT +2: Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan among election observers visiting polling stations in Soweto.

07:35 GMT +2: Deputy President Paul Mashatile arrives at his polling station in Sandton to cast his vote.

07:25 GMT +2: South Africa's Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola, reports that 17,129 inmates have registered to vote, with Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria having the highest number.

07:11 GMT +2: Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile is expected to cast his vote at a polling station in Sandton.

06:30 GMT +2: Ballots have still not arrived at a polling station in Craighall, a suburb of Johannesburg.

06:27 GMT +2: Long queues in Sandton, a residence in the northern part of Johannesburg where former mayor Herman Mashaba is expected to vote.

06:14 GMT +2: Locals in Keiskammahoek, Eastern Cape Town, are halting voting at Wolf River Primary School due to a protest over a land claim.

06:06 GMT +2: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to cast his vote at a primary school in Soweto at 08:00 GMT +2.

06:00 GMT +2: Voters at South Africa’s largest voting station at Joubert Park in Johannesburg queue as voting stations remain unopened.

05:45 GMT +2: Voting is underway in some regions as voters take to the polls to cast their votes.

05:00 GMT +2: Voting is expected to start at this time as voters wait at some voting centres.

Polls are expected to open from 7 am (0500 GMT) to 9 pm (1900 GMT) across the country’s nine provinces.

ELECTIONS BACKGROUND

South Africa has had 5 black presidents; Nelson Mandela (1994-1999), Thabo Mbeki (1999-2008), Kgalema Motlanthe (2008-2009), Jacob Zuma (2009-2018), Cyril Ramaphosa (2018-present) all from the dominant African National Congress (ANC).

However, the governing African National Congress (ANC) is projected to lose its parliament majority for the first time, possibly paving the way for the country’s first coalition government.

Contesting are 14,889 candidates, including 70 political parties and 11 independents vying for 887 seats in the election to be conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC ).

Voters with special needs, such as expectant mothers and individuals with disabilities, cast their ballots two days before election day on May 27 and 28, while registered voters residing overseas cast their ballots on May 17 and 18, according to the IEC.

South Africa employs a proportional representation system, with voters receiving three ballots - National Compensatory Ballot, National Regional Ballot, and Provincial Legislature Ballot - to elect representatives to the National Assembly, Regional National Assembly and Provincial Legislature.

Voters are allowed to vote for different contestants on each ballot and are not compelled to vote for the same party across all the ballot papers. All ballot papers are Universal Braille Template compliant for the blind and partially sighted.

Polls open from 7 am (0500 GMT) to 9 pm (1900 GMT) across the country’s nine provinces, where electorates will cast ballots for national and provincial governments.

The final results of the election are expected to be announced by the IEC on June 2.

KEY FIGURES

Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Nigeria’s Special Envoy to Chad, praised the patriotism and tolerance of the Chadian people and authorities ahead of the presidential elections on May 6, 2024. He urged the people to maintain peace and handle any complaints through peaceful means. Kingibe also assured continued support from the Lake Chad Basin Commission for the peaceful inauguration of a new democratic constitutional order in Chad, The News Diary reported.

Presidential election

Chad is voting for a new president in an election criticized for not being free or fair, following violence and repression. The current military leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby, is the main contender. Nationwide News reported that critics warn of human rights violations and question the credibility of the election. The country, one of the world's poorest, is eager for change but faces challenges with poverty and insecurity.

Opposition cries foul

Chad's presidential election is marred by accusations of a "dynastic dictatorship" following the ascent of incumbent President Mahamat Idriss Dirstt Itno, son of former President Idriss Déby. Opposition leaders have faced violence and several were disqualified from running. The process has been marred by political repression and doubts about its fairness, The Guardian reported. The election outcome is expected to maintain stability and the status quo in Chad, a key concern for the international community amidst regional security challenges.

Heatwaves and outages

Heatwaves and water shortages in Chad and Mali have exposed the struggle of junta-led countries to provide basic services. Outages and rising temperatures have increased frustration with military authorities, especially as both countries face political uncertainty. Critics say the upcoming presidential vote in Chad is a facade to legitimize the current leader's rule. Reuters indicated that in Mali, electricity outages since the 2020 coup have affected public support for the junta. The lack of basic services has led to excess deaths and raised concerns about the junta's governance.

US withdraw troops

The United States is withdrawing some troops from Chad as part of an ongoing review of security cooperation. Military Africa explained that the move comes after Russia has been providing security assistance in African countries, potentially impacting US counter-terrorism missions in the region. The US is also in discussions with Niger to withdraw over 1,000 American personnel as the political situation in Chad remains unstable.

What they said

"This is the umpteenth preparation of a constitutional coup by a monarchical regime that has held the country's destiny hostage for almost 60 years," one of Togo's opposition parties, the Democratic Forces of the Republic said .

They alleged state interference in the electoral process and called for Prabowo's disqualification.

Prabowo's legal team on March 28 responded, arguing that any attempt to overturn his win would undermine the people's fundamental right to vote.

Otto Hasibuan, one of Prabowo's lawyers, maintained that there were no irregularities during the February 14 election and suggested that administrative complaints should be directed to the election watchdog rather than the Constitutional Court.

The official announcement of Prabowo's victory, alongside his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of outgoing President Joko Widodo, was made by the national poll body just the previous week.

However, the legal dispute continued as the opposing candidates' teams also sought the disqualification of Gibran as a vice-presidential candidate.

Panama's President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves inaugurated the Integrated Control Center (CCI) Paso Canoas, a modern facility that converts goods and people with digitalised technology. The event, managed by Costa Rica and Panama, is a cooperation between the two Latin American nations to combat risks on the common border, including drug trafficking, smuggling, and irregular migration, local media La Estrella reports.

First presidential debate

The Panama Electoral Tribunal (TE) has announced that the first presidential debate of the Latin American nation has been postponed to February 26 to ensure ballot participation. The event, which was scheduled for February 21, will focus on topics such as citizen insecurity, sustainable development, the Social Security Fund, quality education, and unemployment. The second debate will be held on March 13, and the third debate will be held on April 17, Panama Broadcasting Corporation reports.

UN staff expelled from Venezuela

Thirteen of the UN Human Rights Office staff in Venezuela after being expelled from the South American nation following accusations of alleged espionage and conspiracy by the Venezuelan government have arrived in Panama to continue their work, local media El Siglo reports. According to El Siglo, their departure from Venezuela was completed on February 17, after the 72 hours given to the staff by Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro had expired. The UN Office for Central America and the

Presidential candidacy of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli

The Panama Electoral Tribunal (TE) has declared that it has not yet received the required documentation from the legal system concerning Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal's money laundering conviction. The TE claims that the organisation is compelled to acknowledge Martinelli as a presidential contender due to the absence of this paperwork, local media Mi Diario reports.

Transfer of educators to remote locations

The Panama Ministry of Education plans to transfer 575 teachers to schools in difficult-to-reach areas, starting February 20. According to the Ministry of Education, the transfer of educators is expected to take place until February 24. The teachers are required to begin their organisation week from February 26 to March 1 before the commencement of the school year the following week on March 6, El Siglo reports.

What they said

During his inauguration speech, Arévalo said: "It fills me with deep honour to assume this high responsibility, demonstrating that our democracy has the strength to resist. And that through unity and trust, we can transform the political landscape in Guatemala".

He also stated: "This is the struggle we are facing in Guatemala and elsewhere in Central America and the world. Battles are being waged against new and old forms of authoritarianism that limit the aspirations of the people and betray their sovereignty. I am proud to say that the people of Guatemala are offering the world community an unexpected example of democratic conviction and resilience".

Just before midnight, the outgoing president of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, posted on X : "Given the risk of reaching midnight without starting the ceremonies, I have just handed over the presidential symbols to the Congress so that I can be separated from office as established by the Constitution of the Republic".

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who attended the inauguration, also commented on the situation and welcomed the outcome. "In the face of coups, the only valid and legitimate response is that of the people and the solidarity of the world," he shared on X , responding to a post that mentioned what happened in Guatemala.

“It is not just something that sounds good on the ear, but an aspiration and something that inspires me as a Namibian. I will be vigorously trekking my way to the presidency while pinpointing various issues that need to be changed as the years go by,” she is quoted by The Namibian , adding she is fully aware of the constitutional requirements.

Sharpley, however, clarified that she is not aiming for an election during the upcoming year's polls but that she considers her campaign to be a long-term project. While criticising the age restriction on the presidency, she noted that the groundwork for her presidential ambition had begun and she would be contesting as an independent candidate when the time is right.

“I just wanted to stir up excitement among the youth that we need to take up our space within our communities. I feel like there needs to be consideration in terms of the age limit because young people today are more advanced both technologically and in how they think and operate,” she said.

In 2022, Namibia's ruling party nominated Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its vice president, positioning her to become the country's first female presidential candidate when the incumbent leader steps down in March 2024 , VOA News reported.

Meanwhile, in Africa, Sahle-Work Zewde has been serving as the President of Ethiopia since her appointment in October 2018, while Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Joyce Banda are former presidents of Liberia (2006–2018) and Malawi (2012–2014), respectively. Also, President Samia Suluhu Hassan became the sixth President of the United Republic of Tanzania in March 2021, following the death of President John Magufuli.

These tensions are also reflected within the family sphere, with many people experiencing serious disputes and even rifts with relatives. One year after Lula's inauguration, the wounds have not healed.

“Family love no longer exists”

“We used to have a mom and a dad who gathered all of us around them. But in their absence, and under Bolsonaro’s influence, it ended. This family love no longer exists”, said Sonia Lacerda, a 77-year-old member of Lula da Silva’s Workers’ Party.

Sonia is the eldest of a family of 15 children raised in the northeastern state of Paraíba. Nine of her siblings support Jair Bolsonaro. She recounted having suffered threats from one of them.

“When we were still in touch, he would tell me: 'You'll see what happens to you when the military returns to power,' implying that I might lose my job,” said this retired nurse. Jair Bolsonaro is a former army captain known for defending Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship. “It makes me very sad, especially at this time of the year when we used to all be together,” she regretted.

Luciano Sant'Anna, a 54-year-old van driver who voted for Bolsonaro, shared that he experienced "contempt" from his leftist relatives. He recalled an incident when he met his brother and some friends in a bar, and his brother introduced him as his "pet Bolsonarista". Although Luciano still communicates with his brother, he admitted to having cut off relations with several uncles and cousins: "I don't feel very good about it, but it's better not to talk than to fight".

While not all family disputes end so badly, the wounds are not always easy to heal.

Mariana Romanelli, 28 years old, believes that she and her mother are the only ones in her family to have voted for Lula in the last elections. She explained that she has been progressively distancing herself from most of her relatives since the electoral period.

“I don't think it's only about politics. The main reason is that, ultimately, my lifestyle and values are just too different from theirs,” said this carioca, native of Rio de Janeiro, with a cup of coffee in her hand.

She mentioned her vegetarianism as an example. “They would tease me a lot for that, saying things like: 'Mariana doesn't eat meat because she wants to save the trees.’ I felt like a hippie in the middle of a party full of metalheads”.

Maycon Torres, a psychology professor at the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), explained that these tensions within families arise due to the expectations that members have of each other.

"Most people expect their families to be affectionate and understanding. That's why family disputes often take ugly turns. These disputes can quickly enter a mechanism of rejection and become unbearable," he told Global South World in an interview. 

Virtual tensions 

Brazil is the world’s second-biggest market for WhatsApp after India. Many of the disputes only take place behind screens, particularly in family WhatsApp groups.

"My cousins would randomly send comments on political things in our group, and then fights would happen," said Rodrigo Silva, a 22-year-old journalism student who voted for Lula.

For some, virtual discussions are the best option for managing family tensions. “I prefer to argue with my family over the phone”, confessed Ethelvina Ferreira, a 25-year-old who moved to Paris a few months  before the elections. “When I talk on the phone, I have the option to say I have to go and just end it there”, she explained, adding that she has to deal with homophobic comments, among others.

Bolsonaro voter Luciano Sant'Anna agrees. "During discussions, I've been told to 'go f*** myself' and faced other insults. It's better that they said it on WhatsApp because if they had said it to me in real life, they would have gone home with no teeth," he said.

For others, like Sonia Lacerda, WhatsApp messages leave more room for misunderstanding. “I feel like speaking through screens makes everyone more aggressive,” she said. 

Will these family tensions last for another three years, until the next Brazilian general elections?

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the creation of a dedicated division within the state-owned oil company Pdvsa. This division will be tasked with issuing operational licenses for oil exploration in the disputed territory with Guyana, known as the Essequibo. The territory is controlled by Guyana but Venezuela claims it.

This decision follows a weekend referendum held by his government, in which voters rejected the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the disagreement and expressed support for creating a new state in the territory.

Guyanese President rejects the measures as a “direct threat” against his country

Guyana's President Irfaan Alí said on Tuesday that the statements made by Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, are a "direct threat" to his country.

"This is a direct threat to the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Guyana," said Alí in an interview with CBS News.

The National Assembly will discuss the creation of a Guayana Esequiba state

The President of the National Assembly (AN), Jorge Rodríguez, announced that the Parliament will convene this Wednesday to initiate the first discussion of the bill presented by President Maduro, which aims to establish the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state.

It is an “organic law to regulate the creation of the state of Guayana Esequiba,” Maduro said on Tuesday.

The US calls for an "expedited and transparent" process to allow opposition candidate Machado

The Biden administration expects the government of Nicolás Maduro to take steps to achieve an expedited process for the approval of opposition candidate María Corina Machado.

Washington wanted Venezuela to take steps to lift public office bans on opposition candidates as well as begin work to release political prisoners and "wrongfully detained" Americans by November 30.

"The Maduro authorities need to demonstrate the courage to allow a serious opposition candidate to run in the election," Nichols said. "That process needs to conclude by the time of invoking a formal election."

Maduro's visit to Russia expected by the end of the year

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could make an official visit to Russia by the end of the year, as stated on Tuesday by the Kremlin's Foreign Policy Advisor, Yuri Ushakov.

"We agreed quite a long time ago on the possibility of Mr Maduro's visit to Moscow in December this year, but we will obviously confirm the specific dates in the coming days," said Ushakov.

The Kremlin advisor did not rule out the possibility that the Venezuelan president might visit other Russian cities besides Moscow, a matter that "is the subject of ongoing discussions."

The Independent National Electoral Commission of Madagascar (CENI) is set to announce provisional results for the first round of the presidential election on November 25. 68.29% out of the 27,375 polling stations have been processed, local media the Madagascar Tribune reports. The High Constitutional Court (HCC) will announce the official results within ten days. President Andry Rajoelina leads with 59.94% of the votes cast, Madagascar Tribune reported.

World Bank funds Madagascar Airlines

Madagascar Airlines is set to receive support from the World Bank as part of the airline's recovery plan, Phénix 2030. The Malagasy government will provide the funds in advance, with the World Bank repaying them later in the form of a loan, the Madagascar Tribune reported. The Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister of Transport made this arrangement in a meeting on November 23 with representatives of the World Bank, the Madagascar Tribune reports.

Increase in tuberculosis cases

The number of patients detected to be in the advanced stage of tuberculosis in Madagascar has increased. Patients with cases of tuberculosis found it difficult to secure free places in the tuberculosis care services in Antananarivo last week, local media L’ Express de Madagascar reported. The manager of a tuberculosis treatment centre is quoted by L’ Express de Madagascar saying, “There is a time when the department is full, because we treat all kinds of lung diseases, but not just tuberculosis. However, we can confirm the increase in tuberculosis patients at the moment. And many of them are in the advanced stages of the disease and require hospitalization.”

Recruitment of state agents

The Madagascar government plans to recruit 14,466 agents across all Institutions and Ministries in 2024, according to the nation’s Draft Finance Law 2024 (PLF 2024). Out of the total recruits, 3,675 will be recruited through civil servants and 10,791 through unsupervised agents, the Madagascar Tribune reports. Key sectors include education, public health, public security, justice, environment, and agriculture. The state payroll budget has been set at 4.086.86 billion Malagasy ariary ($899,448), representing 5.16% of nominal GDP and 24.43% of total expenditure, the Madagascar Tribune reported.

Measles vaccines

Madagascar's council of ministers has approved plans concerning the East African nation’s participation in the purchase of 98% of the required measles vaccines in 2024, following the country's strong measles outbreak in 2018 and 2019. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) will contribute to the purchase of the vaccines which are estimated to cost over $2.3 million with the government of Madagascar contributing 2% of the amount, local media Midi Madigasikara reported.

What they said

"A handful of people tried to prevent citizens from expressing their choice. They have the right not to participate but the populations have the right and the duty to vote," Andry Rajoelina said. "Madagascar needs democratic maturity. The only democratic way to get into power today, and I am fighting for it, is elections," he added after voting in Antananarivo's northern neighbourhood of Atmobe, flanked by his wife and children.

Zambian local media outlet, Mwebantu, reports that he announced his decision to return in a speech at a memorial service of late president Michael Sata.

According to him, the decision is resultant of thoughtful reflections and consultations.

Lungu’s announcement is also a launch of his 2026 presidential bid which he intends to embark on the ticket of the Patriotic Front (PF) party.

What this means

Per the Laws of Zambia, Act Cap 15, Edgar Lungu is no longer entitled to enjoy the benefits of a former head of state with this new decision.

In accordance with the law , therefore, all such benefits have been withdrawn. This was confirmed by Information and Media Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa.

“Let me now come to the issue to do with the privileges and benefits of the former president Edgar Lungu. We would like the nation to know that on October 30th, cabinet or secretary to cabinet wrote to the former president in accordance to the benefits of former presidents Act Cap 15 of the Laws of Zambia and drew to his attention that Government in line with the law that is now forthwith withdrawing the benefits that a former president should enjoy,” he was quoted by Mwebantu.

Edgar Chagwa Lungu served as the sixth president of Zambia from January 26, 2015, to August 24, 2021. Under President Michael Sata, Lungu served as Minister of Justice and Minister of Defence.

What they said

President Andry Rajoelina in a statement to announce his rerun for president said, "The Constitution allows me to run for a second term. Many things have been done to prevent me from moving forward but this encourages me to do more." Former President Marc Ravalomanana, who lost power in a coup in 2009 to Rajoelina said at a demonstration in the nation’s capital: “It was on the Place de 13 Mai that he [Rajoelina] took power, and it will be on the Place du 13 Mai that he will fall.”