As the sun came up in Gabon, its people headed to the polls to choose a president who will lead them into a new democratic era.
As the sun came up in Gabon, its people headed to the polls to choose a president who will lead them into a new democratic era.
Commonwealth observers deployed throughout the country watched as voters waited patiently to cast their ballots in the first election since the country’s decisive change of power in August 2023.
Nine hundred and twenty-one thousand Gabonese citizens are eligible to vote in the election, contested by eight presidential candidates.
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The Commonwealth has observed 206 elections across 47 countries since 1980, building a strong legacy of support for credible electoral processes and the strengthening of democratic institutions. Gabon’s election is the latest this chapter.
The country has a youthful population – the average person is in their early twenties. Kofi Liro, 22 and a first-time voter, is keen to have his say in who runs the country, he said:
“I am very optimistic about today’s elections in my country, seeing it as an opportunity for change, especially for us young people, and for me, a first-time voter. I do believe voting is a crucial part of the democratic process, and I hope that it brings the desired change that my people want.”
The election marks a series of electoral firsts for Gabon – candidacy requirements as it relates to Gabonese citizenship, to members of the military being permitted to stand for office, and the presidential term extended from five to seven years. The constitutional changes were validated in a referendum held in November last year.
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Former President of Seychelles and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group, HE Danny Faure who was at Lycée Lyon M’ba polling station to observe preparations, as the first ballots were cast, wished the Gabonese people well.
“The Commonwealth remains a committed and reliable partner in Gabon’s continuing journey towards its transition back to democratic governance. The presence of the Observer Group in Gabon is a testament to the relevance of the Commonwealth, as it supports the country to uphold the values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter, particularly democracy, human rights, separation of powers and the rule of law.”
Voting in Gabon will take place at 3029 centres across the country and the polls will close at 6pm.
The president is elected by an absolute majority of votes cast which, if not obtained in the first round, a second round will be held, allowing the two candidates with the highest number of votes to re-contest.
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Commonwealth observers have been deployed to Port-Gentil, Lambaréné, Mouila, Oyem and Libreville, and will release their findings in a preliminary statement on 14th April 2025 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Libreville.
Media contact
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Temitope Kalejaiye, Public Relations and Engagement Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat
- M: +44 7436 032707 | Email
