Elections are set to be held tomorrow (December 30) in the Central African Republic, after being postponed several time due to security concerns. Below is an article that explains who some of the candidates, the key issues, and the process. A portion of the article is included. Click here to read the complete story.
The Central African Republic is home to the largest number of Grace Brethren churches in the world.
Central African Republic Elections 2015: Guide To Candidates, Issues, Voting Process And Poll Results
The Central African Republic is set to hold landmark presidential and legislative elections Wednesday, hoping to turn the page on years of sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims. Dates for the polls have been repeatedly scheduled and missed due to violence and a lack of organization, as the clock ticks on the transitional government leading the war-torn country.
Free and fair elections are key to resolving the ongoing conflict, but the volatile climate isn’t hospitable for a peaceful and successful voting process. Armed groups still thrive in large swaths of the country and thousands of Central Africans are displaced. If the long-delayed elections go on as planned and a candidate is chosen from dozens of presidential hopefuls, political experts said the new government will have to work fast to disarm militias and renew national dialogue in order to unite the country and revive a sagging economy.
“If elections do go forward, they will be far from perfect,” said Christopher Day, assistant professor of political science and African studies at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. “Elections are a structural incentive for the country to get its political house in order, but it’s impractical given the state of ongoing violence and impunity.”
Click here to read the complete article.