Central African Republic votes as Touadera seeks third presidential term

"Polling stations opened at 05:00 GMT on Sunday and will close at 17:00 GMT, with 2.3 million voters expected to elect their president, legislators, as well as municipal and regional representatives. list of 4 itemsend of list Touadera, who has been in office since 2016, is likely to win the first round of voting. However, if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes, a runoff election will be held."

"The 68-year-old incumbent is running for office following a controversial constitutional referendum in 2023 that allowed him to serve additional terms. The campaign unfolded without significant incidents, with the exception of the most credible opposition figures, Anicet-Georges Dologuele and former prime minister and critic Henri-Marie Dondra, being prevented from flying to the provinces to hold rallies. A campaign billboard of presidential candidate Anicet-Georges Dologuele, of URCA party [File: Leger Serge Kokpakpa/Reuters]"

Voting in the Central African Republic opened at 05:00 GMT and closes at 17:00 GMT, with 2.3 million voters selecting a president, legislators, and municipal and regional representatives. Incumbent Faustin-Archange Touadera, in office since 2016, is widely expected to win the first round; a runoff will occur if no candidate surpasses 50 percent. Touadera is running after a controversial 2023 constitutional referendum that permits additional terms. The campaign largely saw no major incidents, although leading opposition figures Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra were prevented from flying to provinces. Security forces, including police, army and Russian Wagner mercenaries, were highly visible. The elections occur amid a civil war since 2013, with armed groups still active, especially near borders with Sudan and South Sudan. International missions such as MINUSCA and military support from Russia and Rwanda have partially stabilized parts of the country.

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