Campaigns for a referendum on constitutional amendments started Saturday in Chad, with political parties holding rallies throughout the landlocked Central African nation.

The campaigns for the referendum, due on December 17, are allowed till December 15, according to the country's national commission responsible for organizing the referendum (Conorec).

While officially launching the campaigns in the capital, N'Djamena, the country's transitional prime minister, Saleh Kebzabo, urged political parties to be "fair, civil and transparent" in a bid to ensure hitch-free campaigns.

More than 8 million Chadians have enrolled to vote in the referendum.

According to Conorec, provisional results will be announced on December 24 before being submitted to the Supreme Court, which will declare definitive results on December 28.

The referendum on a new constitution is due to set the stage for elections and a return to civilian rule, according to officials.

The political and military situation in Chad has deteriorated following the death of former President Idriss Deby Itno on April 20, 2021. His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has been leading a transitional military council to govern the country ever since.

(Cover: A general view of a street in N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, April 21, 2021. /CFP)

(With input from Xinhua)