Central African Republic: the Constitutional Court rejects the candidatures of armed groups in the legislative elections
A member of the former Seleka rebellion poses with his weapon in Bambari, in May 2015. AFP PHOTO / PACOME PABANDJI
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The Constitutional Court issued its decision on Friday November 27 on the admissibility of candidatures for the legislative elections of December 27, which will be coupled with the presidential election.
The Court has listed the names of the 1,585 candidates for deputation, for the 140 seats in the Central African National Assembly.
Danielle Darlan, President of the Court, in particular closed the door to candidacies from members of armed groups.
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With our correspondent in Bangui,
Charlotte Cosset
With the enumeration of the candidates for the Central African deputation, the commentators analyzed the battles which will be tough.
As in Boali, where Prime Minister Firmin Ngrebada will notably face Bertin Bea, a pillar of
François Bozizé's
KNK movement
.
Then, Danielle Dalan, the President of the Constitutional Court, declared the candidacies invalidated and the reasons for these decisions.
About fifty were thus dismissed for various reasons, in particular against Article 37: inconsistencies in the dates produced in the files, non-compliant criminal records, etc.
► See also: Central African Republic: civil society organizations are forming for the elections
The President then turned to Articles 134 and 135 of the Electoral Code, which requires the candidate not to have been convicted and to be of good character.
Danielle Darlan then listed the names of about fifteen invalid candidates: embezzlement, corruption, convictions ... Among these names, important personalities, such as one of the vice-presidents of the National Assembly or his former quaestor.
"We were laughed at enough"
Finally, to conclude the list of invalids, the president took a position on the participation of elements of
armed groups
and refused their candidatures for the positions of representatives of the Nation.
A dozen were thus rejected.
“
Considering that the deputy of the Nation is the representative of the people, that the deputy of the Nation enjoys parliamentary immunity which gives him protection in criminal matters.
Considering that the mere presence of members of armed groups still active as legislative candidates is likely to seriously undermine the sincerity of the vote.
The Constitutional Court should rule out the candidatures of members of armed groups in the legislative elections
, ”declared Danielle Darlan.
A decision that was warmly welcomed by the audience.
Arlette Sombo-Dibélé, lawyer, confided: “
Ah listen, if I could sing the song, I would say that my heart is filled with joy!
I did not believe that we can still say the right.
Well, you see me happy.
In any case, with regard to my main concern, which are the armed groups: to come and kill, ransack and have the nerve to come forward to continue their work!
You have heard the death knell.
Today is over.
We were laughed at enough.
"
The court's next decision is due by December 3 and will concern presidential candidates.
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