Republic of Congo bishops fear presidential election won t be fair
Voter rolls include dead people and the country lacks an independent and credible electoral commission, say bishops Catholic News Service Updated: February 06, 2021 07:38 AM GMT
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Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso. (Photo: Britannica)
Catholic bishops in the Republic of Congo voiced grave reservations about the fairness of the March 21 presidential election, in which 77-year-old President Denis Sassou-Nguesso seeks a new term after 37 years in power.
True democracy includes political competition and an independent electoral system, the bishops said. Sassou-Nguesso, who has ruled continuously since 1997, and also held the presidency from 1979 to 1992.
The Republic of Congo has voter rolls that include dead people and lacks an independent and credible electoral commission, said the Feb. 2 statement from the 10-member bishops conference. Citing doubts about organization