The petition to annul the presidential results was submitted last week by Théodore Ngoy, who came last with 0.02% of the vote.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Constitutional Court has rejected two legal challenges to the provisional election results, confirming President Felix Tshisekedi’s re-election for another five years1.
The court’s decision paves the way for Tshisekedi to serve another term as head of Africa’s second-largest country1.The challenges were brought by opposition candidate Théodore Ngoy and a citizen who filed an appeal1.
Ngoy, who came in last place in the presidential election, claimed that the election was fraudulent and called for the results to be annulled2. However, the court ruled that irregularities could not have impacted the outcome of the election.
The Constitutional Court’s decision upholds the provisional results, which showed Tshisekedi winning with over 73% of the vote1. Despite independent observers’ reports of logistical mishaps, a last-minute extension of voting, and a murky tabulation process, the court found that these irregularities did not affect the final result1.
Tshisekedi’s main opponents, including runner-up candidate Moise Katumbi, have refused to challenge the vote count in court, citing a lack of trust in state institutions1. The opposition had previously called for the election to be annulled due to “massive fraud” and urged the international community not to recognize the provisional results1.
The DRC’s Constitutional Court is expected to confirm the provisional results on January 102. The court has seven days to examine the appeal and give its decision.
What were the legal challenges to Tshisekedi’s re-election
Two legal challenges were brought against the provisional election results that confirmed President Felix Tshisekedi’s re-election in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The challenges were filed by opposition candidate Théodore Ngoy and a citizen who filed an appeal. Ngoy claimed that the election was fraudulent and called for the results to be annulled. However, the Constitutional Court rejected both challenges, ruling that irregularities could not have impacted the outcome of the election. The court’s president, Dieudonne Kamuleta, said that “even when taking reported irregularities and their influence on the ballot into account, the order of arrival is not disrupted.” Tshisekedi’s main opponents, including runner-up candidate Moise Katumbi, have refused to challenge the vote count in court, citing a lack of trust in state institutions.
What were the main issues in the contested polls?
The main issues in the contested polls in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) included allegations of massive fraud and irregularities. The opposition, including runner-up candidate Moise Katumbi, had called for the election to be annulled, citing “massive fraud” and urging the international community not to recognize the provisional results5.
The challenges brought to the Constitutional Court alleged that the reported irregularities and their influence on the ballot could have impacted the election results5. However, the court ruled that the irregularities could not have affected the outcome of the election, and it upheld the provisional results, confirming President Felix Tshisekedi’s re-election for another five years5.
What were the allegations made by the opposition in the contested polls?
The opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) made several allegations regarding the contested presidential election. These included claims of “massive fraud,” lack of credibility in the election process, and a call for the election to be annulled. Opposition candidate Martin Fayulu, who was one of the main contenders, rejected the results announced by the Constitutional Court, stating that they were without basis and that President Tshisekedi had no legitimacy. Additionally, there were allegations of irregularities during and after the December vote, including logistical mishaps, a last-minute extension of voting, and a murky tabulation process, which led to widespread disputes and calls for a re-run of the election5.