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What impact has the death of Guy-Brice Parfait Koléla on the electoral process in Congo-Brazzaville? On Sunday, March 21, he was one of the seven candidates in the vote to prevent President Denis Sassou Nguesso from getting a new seat. But he died overnight from Sunday to Monday when he had just arrived in Paris after a sudden deterioration in his health caused by Covid-19.
For the President of the Electoral Commission, the process continues: Article 70 of the Constitution provides for a postponement in case of death or incapacity before the first round. But “when death tore our brother (candidate) from our love, the election of the Congolese was already on the ballot,” Henri Bouka declared to our correspondent, Loïcia Martial.
A new vote?
Relatives of the deceased candidate continue their own collection while waiting to compare their numbers with CENI and to file their appeals. Either, if Guy-Brice Parfait Kolélas qualifies for the second round, a new vote must be requested under the same article of the Constitution, which contains provisions on “resumption of all electoral operations”.
First “catastrophic” round
Or in the event that Denis Sassou Nguesso is named the winner of the first round, to condemn the “irregularities” in the vote. Another opposition candidate, Mathias Dzon, says he will somehow go to the Constitutional Court to cancel the first round, which he considers “catastrophic”.
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