The opposition groups have condemned what they describe as a "corrupt" electoral register and expressed concerns over the lack of guarantees for free and fair elections.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the opposition parties, which are not part of the political transition and do not hold seats in the current institutions, urged Chadians to impose an "electoral blockade" to protest against the elections.

The party of former Prime Minister Succès Masra has yet to declare its official stance or strategy for the elections.

The December 29 polls will be the first since the passage of a new organic law that defines the composition of the new Parliament. Chadians have not voted in parliamentary elections since 2011. A new assembly was initially scheduled for election in 2015, but the vote was postponed multiple times due to security threats posed by jihadist groups, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the political transition that followed the death of longtime president Idriss Déby in 2021.

Candidates are expected to submit their applications for the upcoming elections between October 19 and 28. (ILKHA)