Chad has closed polls in its first parliamentary election in 13 years, marking a significant step toward ending military rule.
Voting ended at 6:00 PM local time on Sunday, with provisional results expected by January 15 and final results by January 31.
The main opposition boycotted the election, citing concerns over the credibility of the process.
Chad, an oil-rich but impoverished nation of 18 million, has not experienced a free and fair transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Approximately 8 million registered voters were tasked with electing 188 members to a new National Assembly.
This election comes at a pivotal moment for Chad as it faces multiple security threats, including attacks from Boko Haram and a deterioration in long-standing military cooperation with France, its primary ally.
