16 Oct 2018 | 10:56 AM UTC
Gabon: Ruling party wins October 6 legislative elections /update 4
Ruling PDG party wins the October 6 legislative elections amid low turnout; second round on October 27
Event
The ruling PDG party (Parti Démocratique Gabonais) has won 74 of 143 seats at the National Assembly following the first round of legislative elections held without incident on Saturday, October 6. Voter turnout was relatively low - 58 percent - mostly due to disinterest and low confidence in the electoral system, as voting is traditionally marred by fraud. Campaigning for the second round of elections began on Saturday, October 13, with the vote to be held in 61 constituencies on October 27.
The results of the local elections that were also held on October 6 are yet to be released.
Context
These legislative elections had been delayed multiple times by the Constitutional Court since December 2016, officially due to a lack of resources.
Advice
Travelers in Gabon are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid all public gatherings due to the potential for violence.
