Guinea’s military junta has established the Directorate General of Elections ahead of a constitutional referendum in September and general elections in December. The move, however, raises concerns about electoral credibility following the dissolution of numerous political parties and restrictions on media. The junta has faced protests over unmet deadlines for a return to civilian rule.
In a move that has sparked both interest and skepticism, Guinea’s military junta has established a new body to oversee elections, including a key constitutional referendum scheduled for September and both general and presidential elections targeted for December. The Directorate General of Elections, or DGE, was introduced in a decree delivered on state television by junta leader Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya. This new institution will be tasked with organizing elections, maintaining the electoral register, and ensuring that the electoral process is fair.
The DGE’s leadership will derive from appointments made via presidential decree, according to Doumbouya. This agency will also act as Guinea’s representative within various electoral organizations at the sub-regional, regional, and international levels. This announcement comes amid increasing pressure and a backdrop of protests that followed the junta’s failure to keep promises regarding a transition back to civilian rule.
That transition was initially set in motion by Doumbouya agreeing in 2022 to a timeline that would allow for a return to civilian governance by December 31, 2024. His inability to meet this deadline incited significant opposition protests, which brought day-to-day life in the capital, Conakry, to a halt back in January. The new election body’s formation, therefore, comes at a crucial time in the country’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah has confirmed that the elections are indeed slated for December 2025, while reaffirming the intention to hold the aforementioned constitutional referendum on September 21, as previously disclosed by the junta in April.
However, concerns about the legitimacy and credibility of these electoral processes remain prevalent. Last year, the junta dissolved over 50 political parties in a controversial endeavor to “clean up the political chessboard.” Furthermore, independent media outlets have also expressed worries as pressure mounts. Reports indicate that social media platforms and private radio stations are frequently restricted, and journalists face increasing risks including harassment and detention without clear justification.
In summary, while the establishment of the DGE signals a step toward organizing elections in Guinea, skepticism exists regarding the fairness of the upcoming electoral processes, given the historical context of political repression under the current military regime.
The establishment of the Directorate General of Elections by Guinea’s military junta marks a significant development as the country prepares for upcoming elections. However, the timing is marred by the junta’s previous failures to deliver on promises for a democratic transition and the suppression of political parties and media. With elections slated for December 2025 and a constitutional referendum in September, concerns linger about the fairness and credibility of the electoral process.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
