Congo President Tshisekedi Re-elected Amidst Opposition’s Complaints

Congo President Tshisekedi Re-elected Amidst Opposition's Complaints

VoM News Desk | January 1, 2024 | 10:22 AM IST | Africa, Congo, World | Follow on Google News

Congo President Tshisekedi Re-elected Amidst Opposition’s Complaints/Reuters

Congo President Tshisekedi Re-elected Amidst Opposition’s Complaints

Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has secured a second term after the country’s election commission, CENI, declared his victory in the December 20 poll, reporting a substantial win with over 73% of the vote. This announcement arrives amid a backdrop of opposition complaints concerning the election process.

Denis Kadima, the chairman of CENI, announced the results in Kinshasa, confirming Tshisekedi’s victory with more than 13 million votes out of a total of over 18 million legitimate ballots. He also noted a voter turnout of over 43%.

The supporters of Tshisekedi erupted in celebration upon Kadima’s declaration of his temporary election. However, candidates, political parties, and their representatives have a two-day window to challenge the election results in the constitutional court. The court then has seven days to review the appeals and declare the final outcome.

Moise Katumbi, a leading opposition figure who secured 18% of the vote, stated his decision not to contest CENI’s findings, citing concerns over the alleged lack of independence of state institutions, as reported by CNN. Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether other opposition candidates intend to challenge the announced results.

Earlier on Sunday, nine opposition presidential candidates, including Katumbi, along with six political party leaders, urged their supporters to protest in the streets following the preliminary results’ announcement. The election outcome stands amid both Tshisekedi’s re-election and the ongoing reservations expressed by various opposition figures regarding the fairness of the electoral process.

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