In a pivotal decision, the Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially confirmed Félix Tshisekedi as the President of the Republic. The Court, on the evening of January 9th, deliberated on two appeals seeking the annulment of the election results from December 20.
Affirming the re-election of Félix Tshisekedi with 73.47% of the votes, the Constitutional Court validated the results previously declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) following the presidential election.
Two appeals were filed, one by a private individual and the other by a candidate named Théodore Ngoy. Notably, Ngoy was the sole candidate who sought the annulment of the election, citing perceived irregularities on the voting day. Other opposition figures chose to abstain, alleging that the Court was aligned with the ruling regime.
The Court deemed Théodore Ngoy’s petition admissible but ultimately unfounded. Regarding the appeal filed by the private citizen, it was declared inadmissible due to a lack of standing.
The entire process from receiving the appeals to delivering the verdict took only 24 hours. This swift resolution underscores the legal clarity sought by the Constitutional Court in determining the validity of the presidential election. Félix Tshisekedi’s confirmation as President sets the stage for the continuation of his leadership in the DRC, while the legal proceedings reflect the nation’s commitment to upholding democratic processes and the rule of law.