Preliminary assessments from election observers indicate that the voting process in the Central African Republic unfolded largely as planned, with more than 99 per cent of polling stations opening on schedule on election day. According to the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA, the transfer of envelopes containing election results from 19 prefectural capitals to the national capital, Bangui, is now under way, supported by the mission’s logistical and security operations.
The vote held on 28 December marked a historic milestone in the country’s political life, combining four separate ballots into a single nationwide electoral exercise. Notably, municipal elections were held for the first time since 1988, fulfilling a key commitment under the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation and representing a significant step toward strengthening local governance.
Organizing the elections posed major logistical challenges due to the country’s vast size, sparse population and difficult terrain, characterized by dense forests, rivers and limited road infrastructure. Many communities outside Bangui can only be accessed by air or after days of travel. Despite these constraints, MINUSCA worked closely with national authorities and UN partners to ensure the timely delivery of voting materials and the smooth functioning of polling operations.
In total, the mission conducted 84 flights and eight road convoys to transport more than 230 tonnes of election materials, including ballot papers, voter cards, indelible ink, voting booths and ballot boxes. These efforts enabled the delivery of supplies to 6,679 of the country’s 6,700 polling stations, allowing voting to proceed normally across 20 prefectures. UN-supported training was also provided to approximately 34,500 electoral agents, supervisors and polling staff to strengthen technical and operational capacity.
Security arrangements were reinforced through the deployment of additional national military and police personnel, supported logistically by MINUSCA, alongside increased patrols by UN peacekeepers and police units. The mission also supplied vehicles and motorcycles to national security forces to help them reach remote and isolated areas and maintain a secure environment during the polls.
Despite the overall success of the operation, an attack in Bambouti in the south-eastern Haut-Mbomou prefecture near the border with South Sudan prevented voting from taking place in that locality. The assault, carried out by the Azandé Ani Kpi Gbe armed group, involved hostage-taking, including the sub-prefect. MINUSCA strongly condemned the incident and has been working continuously to secure the release of those abducted.
