Gabon has officially launched preparations for its local and legislative elections scheduled for September 27, marking a major step in the country’s ongoing political transition.
The national electoral commission has been formally inaugurated, with its members sworn in by the Constitutional Court.
The election timetable has also been released, setting key deadlines for voter registration and candidate nominations.
Voter roll updates will begin on July 14 and run through August 12.
During this period, new voters will be added, while names of the deceased or ineligible individuals will be removed.
Citizens can also update their personal information or change their polling centers.
All Gabonese citizens aged 18 and above with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) are automatically registered and only need to select a polling station.
Local electoral commissions will be formed by July 26 and deployed both within the country and abroad to support the process.
Nomination of candidates for both local and legislative offices will take place between July 27 and August 7.
The Ministry of the Interior and the national electoral commission have pledged to ensure “credible, transparent, and peaceful” elections and called on all citizens to take part in building Gabon’s Fifth Republic.
These elections follow significant political changes in Gabon. President Brice Oligui Nguema, who came to power in a 2023 military coup, recently established a new political party, the Democratic Union of Builders (UDB).
In April 2025, he secured nearly 95% of the vote in the presidential election.
While initially positioning himself as a transitional leader, Oligui’s launch of the UDB signals a shift toward long-term political engagement.
The party provides a formal platform for his leadership, indicating his intent to play a lasting role in Gabon’s future governance.
The upcoming elections are expected to be a defining moment in Gabon’s political journey, as the country continues to transition from military rule to a more structured democratic system.
