Tuesday 26th August is the date announced by the Gabonese government for the presidential, legislative, and local elections. The date was announced by decree of the Council of Ministers.
The Gabonese government spokesman indicated that voting would open at 7 am and close at 6 pm, while inviting the electoral college concerned to turn out on 26th August.
Current President Ali Bongo Ondimba has not yet expressed his intention to run in the elections, but he and his party are in a strong position against a very divided opposition.
With strong majorities in both houses of parliament, the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) is putting pressure on the President to announce that he will stand again.
Ali Bongo, now 64, succeeded 2009 his father Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled the country for 4 decades.
In 2018, Mr. Bongo suffered a stroke and spent months recovering. This led the opposition to question his ability to lead the country.
In April, the Gabonese parliament voted to amend the constitution, restoring single-round voting and reducing the presidential term from seven to five years.