CAR: Is the failure of the remaining elections inevitable?

By Gilles DELEUZE | LNC

(Bangui, 27 September 2026 | LNC) The failure of the remaining elections in the Central African Republic is not inevitable, but the process is currently facing significant logistical and budgetary challenges. Originally scheduled for 27 September 2026, these elections were officially postponed to 25 October 2026 by presidential decree, after the National Electoral Authority (ANE) invoked force majeure. The main obstacles to the success of these elections (which cover five constituencies for the second round of the parliamentary elections, three for the regional elections and 16 for the local elections) can be summarised as three major challenges. The ANE was forced to temporarily suspend the election campaign in early September due to critical difficulties in delivering electoral materials and the unavailability of sufficient financial resources in time. These remaining elections require complex logistics to cover areas that are sometimes very remote. The organisation has been weakened in recent months by industrial action and delays in the payment of salaries and bonuses to election officials (particularly IT staff), creating internal friction that is slowing down data processing. Although the Integrated Election Security Plan (PISE) Whilst this has helped to mitigate major risks during previous national elections, ensuring the security of certain local constituencies — where security is sometimes disrupted by conflicts linked to seasonal migration or lingering tensions — remains a crucial challenge in guaranteeing the integrity and smooth running of the vote. The postponement to 25 October gives the ANE some breathing space to adjust its timetable, and the institution says it is determined to rise to the challenge. Failure will only be declared if the international partners and the government fail to finalise the funding and secure the delivery of ballot boxes by the new date.

LNC
Date: 27 September026
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