Supporters of Chad's transitional president, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, gather ahead of his campaign rally in Moundou, the country's economic capital and an opposition stronghold. "It is because he has proven himself during the transition period, that is why we are here to follow him and support him, to give him another five-year term," says Abdallah Awda Soumaine. Proclaimed president by the army three years ago, Itno is virtually certain to win the presidential election, following the army's deadly assault on one of his main rivals, Yaya Dillo, and the invalidation of other candidates by a Constitutional Council whose members he appointed. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES