Elections in the Central African Republic: the legitimacy of the poll, disturbed in the provinces, divided in Bangui

Rwandan peacekeepers from Minusca last May in Bangui, Central African Republic.

AFP PHOTO / PATRICK FORT

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

1.8 million voters were called to vote on Sunday, December 27, for the presidential and legislative elections.

But in a context of renewed tension, with the threat posed by armed groups on the ballot, many Central Africans living outside the capital were unable to vote.

The day after the election, how do we react to this double standard in the capital?

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With our special correspondent in Bangui,

Florence Morice

Straddling a wooden door whose lock he changes, in the Boy-Rabe district of Bangui, Armel is

proud to have voted on Sunday

 : “ 

It's something good.

It is democracy that is progressing in our country.

It is not with arms that we can take a country, it is through the ballot box.

 "

In the stall next door, Cynthia sells vegetables, sitting on a stool.

She says she is shared.

She is happy to have been able to vote, but worried about the news received from her family in the provinces, in Bossemptele: “ 

They told me that there were not even ballot boxes there.

Everything was closed.

And anyway, they would be too afraid to go and vote because of the insecurity.

 "

Some are calling for a vote

29 sub-prefectures of the Central African Republic did not vote at all on Sunday.

And this revolts Véronique: “ 

It's unfair

.

How can the government accept an election from which half of the people are excluded?

They told us they were providing security, but they lied to us.

 "

► See also: Elections in the Central African Republic: Bozizé's controversial support for the rebellion

Some say their anger, others their concern, which also relates to the possible consequences of this truncated vote.

Symphorien shunned the ballot: “ 

I will go and vote if everyone can vote.

We must organize a dialogue and redo the election.

Otherwise, it will still be the crisis in the country.

We don't want any more.

We must vote again.

We want peace.

 " 

What will the authorities decide?

Could voting be, at least in part, reorganized?

It is for the Constitutional Court to decide.

Provisional results of the December 27 vote are expected on January 4.

“What we experienced on December 27 was not an election.

It is a real political swindle.

"

Martin Ziguélé, former Prime Minister and candidate for the presidency of the Republic of the Central African Republic

Victor Mauriat

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  • Central African Republic

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