TITLE I. OF THE STATE AND OF SOVEREIGNTY
Article 1
Chad is a sovereign Republic, independent, secular, social, one and indivisible, founded on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and of justice.
The separation of the religions and of the State is affirmed.
Article 2
Covering an area of one million two hundred eighty-four thousand (1,284,000) km², the Republic of Chad is organized into administrative districts and territorial collectivities of which autonomy is guaranteed by this Constitution.
Article 3
Sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it either directly by referendum, or indirectly by the intermediary of their elected representatives.
No community, no corporation, no political party or association, no trade union organization, no individual or group of individuals may assume its exercise.
The conditions of recourse to the referendum are determined by this Constitution and by an organic law.
Article 4
The political parties and groups contribute to the exercise of suffrage. They form themselves and freely exercise their activities according to the conditions provided for by the law and with respect for the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity and pluralist democracy.
Article 5
Any propaganda of ethnic, tribal, regional or religious character attempting to harm the national unity or the secularity of the State is prohibited.
Article 6
Suffrage is universal, direct or indirect, fair and secret.
All Chadians of both sexes, aged eighteen years of age and enjoying their civil and political rights, are electors within the conditions established by law.
Article 7
The principle of the exercise of power is the Government of the people by the people and for the people, founded on the separation of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers.
Article 8
The national emblem is the tricolor flag: blue, gold, and red in vertical bands and of equal dimensions, the blue being next to the pole.
The motto of the Republic of Chad is Unity – Work – Progress.
The National Anthem is La Tchadienne.
The National Holiday is August 11, day of the independence of Chad.
The capital of the Republic of Chad is N’Djaména.
Article 9
The official languages are French and Arabic.
The law establishes the conditions of promotion and of development of the national languages.
Article 10
The seals and the arms of the Republic of Chad are determined by law.
Article 11
The conditions of acquisition and of loss of Chadian nationality are established by the law.
