The UN Independent Expert on the human rights situation in the Central African Republic has issued a stern warning about the critical state of the nation's electoral authority, urging immediate reforms to avoid jeopardizing the upcoming 2025 elections. Yao Agbetse, reporting to the UN Human Rights Council, highlighted severe operational, legal, and financial deficiencies within the National Elections Authority (ANE) that threaten the integrity and timeliness of the legislative, presidential, and local elections slated for later this year.

The 2016 Constitution of the Central African Republic mandates that presidential and legislative elections be conducted within set deadlines in 2025. Furthermore, local elections, repeatedly deferred since 2022, hold considerable weight for the country’s transitional justice efforts. However, these elections face potential delays due to a pronounced budget shortfall. On April 24, the ANE increased the local elections budget from $19 million to $21.8 million. Despite support from the UN Development Programme, which is set to provide $12.4 million, a significant funding gap of $9 million remains.

Complications continue as the voter registration process encounters numerous challenges, including missing voter names and other technical issues, raising concerns about further postponements of the local elections in August. Discussions are ongoing about possibly consolidating the local elections with the legislative and presidential elections scheduled for December.

In a significant constitutional development in 2023, the Central African Republic conducted a referendum resulting in the elimination of the presidential term limit. An overwhelming 95.27% of participants voted in favor, enabling President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to seek re-election in December 2025. If re-elected, President Touadéra could potentially extend his tenure indefinitely under the new constitutional framework.

The urgency of these reforms cannot be overstated, as the effectiveness and transparency of the 2025 elections are critical for the stability and democratic progress of the Central African Republic. The international community, along with national authorities, faces the pressing task of ensuring that the electoral authority is adequately prepared to conduct fair and timely elections, pivotal for the nation's future.