If the impossible happens, that is the regime fails to get their dog to be President, there is Plan B.
One way is to use Demonisation. It was effective against President Devan Nair.
The other method is the Chinese Stonewall. It was devastating against President Ong who saw his powers curtailed with Civil Serpents and Minions ignoring him.
Therefore the outsider who wins will have a hard time and might not even survive the first term.