Chad’s Opposition Set to Decide Poll Participation

In Chad, representatives of opposition political parties are holding talks to decide before the end of the week whether to participate in the May 6 presidential election. Members of the umbrella group called GCAP – which represents at least 12 political parties -- are expressing concern about the credibility of the coming poll. Nasour Koursami, leader of the opposition Patriots party and a prominent member of the GCAP, says both Prime Minister Success Masra and military junta leader Mahamat Deby Itno should resign from their positions before contesting as candidates. This, he says, will ensure an equal playing field ahead of the vote. Koursami tells VOA's Peter Clottey, there are genuine concerns that the outcome of the elections is already predetermined.