December 25, 2023 01:50 am | Updated 01:50 am IST - N'DjamenaChad's new constitution was approved by 86% percent of voters in a referendum held a week ago, the African country's electoral commission said Sunday, but opposition leaders challenged the figures. The country's military rulers have promoted the new constitution as a key step in the path back to civilian rule, but it had been denounced by opposition politicians, with some calling for a boycott of the December 17 vote. Turnout stood at 63.75%, the electoral commission said, which opposition leaders contested. "The participation was much less than what the officials announced," said Max Kemkoye, head of an opposition group. The referendum is a key step in the return to civilian rule by end-2024 promised by the military leaders.

Source: The Hindu December 24, 2023 20:22 UTC