Guinea-Bissau Elections in Limbo as Electoral Commission Says Conditions Not Met

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Guinea-Bissau's planned December legislative and presidential elections have been thrown into uncertainty after the country's electoral commission said conditions were not yet in place for the polls to take place.

The elections are intended to restore civilian rule following the military takeover in November last year, when military leaders assumed power and established a year-long transitional framework.

With the December deadline approaching, the West African country has faced growing political and security tensions, raising further questions over the timing of the elections and the transition back to civilian government.

The vice-president of the National Electoral Commission, Felisberta Moura Vaz, said the commission had communicated its assessment to military leader General Horta N'Tam, who also serves as transitional president.

Vaz said the commission could not determine whether the elections would ultimately be postponed, indicating that the decision rested with the transitional authorities.

Parties face readiness concerns

Prime Minister Ilidio Vieira Te said political parties were also not adequately prepared for the elections.

He argued that most parties were not yet in an ideal position to contest the polls, citing concerns over the age and relevance of their leadership structures.

The comments add another layer of uncertainty to an electoral process already facing logistical and political challenges.

New leadership distances itself from former president

General Horta N'Tam is considered a close associate of ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who was removed from power following last year's military takeover.

The coup occurred just one day before provisional results from the country's presidential election were due to be announced. Some observers had alleged that Embalo was seeking to disrupt an electoral process he appeared likely to lose, although such claims have been contested.

In recent weeks, however, Guinea-Bissau's transitional authorities have appeared to distance themselves from the former president.

Embalo was barred from returning to Guinea-Bissau last week amid reports of tensions within the presidential guard, a security unit widely regarded as having been loyal to him.

Several members of the guard were subsequently disarmed and placed under supervision at military headquarters.

Long history of political instability

The uncertainty surrounding the elections comes against the backdrop of Guinea-Bissau's long history of military intervention and political instability.

The country, located between Senegal and Guinea, has experienced five coups and numerous attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974.

The planned elections are therefore viewed as an important step towards restoring constitutional civilian government. Any delay could prolong the transitional period and deepen uncertainty over the country's political future.

For now, the electoral commission's assessment leaves the December timetable in doubt, with the final decision on whether the polls proceed expected to rest with the transitional leadership.