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| Chad votes as Idriss Deby eyes fifth term | Chad votes as Idriss Deby eyes fifth term |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The people of Chad have voted in a presidential election widely expected to deliver President Idriss Deby a fifth term in office. | |
| Mr Deby, who took power in a coup 26 years ago, is seen by Western governments as a bulwark against Islamist militants in central Africa. | Mr Deby, who took power in a coup 26 years ago, is seen by Western governments as a bulwark against Islamist militants in central Africa. |
| In the run-up to the election, security was stepped up, with protest marches banned and activists imprisoned. | In the run-up to the election, security was stepped up, with protest marches banned and activists imprisoned. |
| Despite Chad's new oil wealth, half its 13 million people live in poverty. | Despite Chad's new oil wealth, half its 13 million people live in poverty. |
| The opposition boycotted the last election in 2011, allowing Mr Deby an easy victory, while this year his chances of winning again have been strengthened by fractures in the opposition. | The opposition boycotted the last election in 2011, allowing Mr Deby an easy victory, while this year his chances of winning again have been strengthened by fractures in the opposition. |
| One prominent opposition activist, Ngarlejy Yorongar, was banned from standing. | |
| A referendum in Chad in 2005 scrapped a clause restricting presidents to two terms but Mr Deby says he will reinstate it if re-elected. | A referendum in Chad in 2005 scrapped a clause restricting presidents to two terms but Mr Deby says he will reinstate it if re-elected. |
| 'Guarantee of peace' | 'Guarantee of peace' |
| Record low international oil prices and the growing cost of anti-terror operations in the region are among the country's main challenges. | Record low international oil prices and the growing cost of anti-terror operations in the region are among the country's main challenges. |
| Both Nigeria's Islamist group, Boko Haram, and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb are seen as threats. | Both Nigeria's Islamist group, Boko Haram, and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb are seen as threats. |
| The authorities have also been trying to suppress unrest this year over delays in the payment of civil servants' salaries and a recruitment freeze. | The authorities have also been trying to suppress unrest this year over delays in the payment of civil servants' salaries and a recruitment freeze. |
| However, the president's message of stability is winning him support. | However, the president's message of stability is winning him support. |
| "We came to vote for the president to guarantee peace in our country," civil servant Fatima Zara told Reuters news agency in the capital N'Djamena as she lined up to vote. | "We came to vote for the president to guarantee peace in our country," civil servant Fatima Zara told Reuters news agency in the capital N'Djamena as she lined up to vote. |
| "Around us in the neighbouring countries there are too many problems." | "Around us in the neighbouring countries there are too many problems." |
| Those allowed to stand against Mr Deby include opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo, campaigning on a platform of change. |