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Africa News of Thursday, 4 January 2024

Source: bbc.com

DR Congo president's poll win contested in court

The court has seven days to examine the petition The court has seven days to examine the petition

One of the presidential candidates in the Democratic Republic of Congo has filed a petition to challenge the re-election of incumbent President Félix Tshisekedi.

Théodore Ngoy, who came last with 0.02% of the vote, is the only one to submit a petition for the annulment of the presidential results.

He filed the petition on Wednesday at the Constitutional Court hours before the lapse of the two-day window allowed for the petition.

Mr Ngoy, a lawyer and pastor, also vied in the 2018 presidential race and lost.

He told the French RFI news website that he wanted the "sham" election results announced by the country's electoral commission, Ceni, cancelled.

The court has seven days to examine the petition and give its decision.

The two main opposition candidates, Moïse Katumbi who came second with 18% and third-placed Martin Fayulu said they would not challenge the results in court but are calling for protests to denounce them.

The Constitutional Court is expected to announce the final results on 12 January.

The president won with about 73% of the vote in the 20 December election, which was marred by widespread logistical problems.