The transfer of envelopes containing the results from 19 prefectural capitals to the national capital, Bangui, is already underway, with logistical and security support from the mission.
The vote on December 28 marked an unprecedented moment in the country’s political history, bringing together four votes in a single electoral exercise. Notably, municipal elections had not been held in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 1988 and were a key provision of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation.
Vast, sparsely populated and landlocked, the Central African Republic is crisscrossed by dense forests, rivers and long, often impassable roads. Outside Bangui, many communities can only be reached by air or day-long trips.
Votes are counted with flashlights after elections in the Central African Republic.
Broad UN support for a complex operation
MINUSCA said it worked closely with national authorities and UN agencies to support the electoral process.delivering all electoral materials on time despite difficult terrain and security limitations.
In total, the mission carried out 84 flights and eight road convoys to transport more than 230 tons of electoral materials, including ballots, indelible ink, voter cards, voting booths and ballot boxes.
Electoral materials were delivered to 6,679 of the country’s 6,700 polling stations, allowing them to function normally in 20 prefectures.
On the technical and operational front, some 34,500 people – including electoral agents, supervisors and polling station staff – received training with the support of the UN.
Security measures
Poll security was reinforced through the deployment of additional national troops and police, with logistical support from MINUSCA, along with Reinforced patrols by peacekeepers and UN police personnel..
The mission also provided Central African armed forces and internal security personnel with vehicles and motorcycles to reach remote and isolated areas.
At a press conference in Bangui on Wednesday, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic, Valentine Rugwabiza, said the mission had successfully fulfilled its mandate despite operating in a challenging environment.
UN peacekeepers patrolling at a polling station in the capital, Bangui, during the elections.
Incident in Upper Mbomou
Rugwabiza strongly condemned an attack in Bambouti, in the southeastern prefecture of Haut-Mbomou, near the border with South Sudan, which prevented voting there due to insecurity.
The attack, carried out by the armed group Azandé Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG), also involved the taking of hostages, including the sub-prefect.
He said MINUSCA has been working day and night since Sunday to facilitate the release of the hostages.
Results expected next week
The National Electoral Authority (ANE) is expected to announce the preliminary results of the presidential elections on January 5, 2026..