The government believes the risk of Covid-19 has subsided. (Pexels)Gabon believes the risk of Covid-19 is largely over, and has restarted elections following repeal of controversial emergency laws.
After passing emergency legislation in February that suspended the conduct of elections citing risk of contact in polling booths, Gabon was officially on watch for the threat of Covid-19.
The law declared a “human biosecurity emergency” because Covid-19 posed “a severe and immediate threat to human health on a nationally significant scale”.
Because of this, it appointed the Lord High Chancellor as the Chief Medical Officer of Gabon and suspended all elections.
As the Chief Medical Officer, the Lord High Chancellor had power to end the emergency at any time. And the law was set to automatically cease on 31 December.
But before this could happen, the Lord’s Council intervened and repealed the law.
Elections are therefore expected to restart within the week.
Citizens still express concerns about the threat of Covid-19, citing the many cases still experienced overseas.
The government declined to comment.
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