Congo's opposition launches parallel electoral body ahead of presidential polls

Five opposition candidates vying for the presidential elections in Congo launched their own electoral commission on Wednesday.

The announcement comes as the country prepares for elections on March 20.

Dubbed the ‘Technical Election Commission,’ the body is parallel to the National Electoral Commission created following a presidential decree in February.

The members of the technical commission will be present in the 5,300 polling stations across the country and are expected to conduct their own vote tallying parallel to the country’s recognised electoral body.

Opposition in #Congo #Brazzaville sets up parallel electoral commission https://t.co/irQx2JSIGX

— Michel Arseneault (@miko75011) March 10, 2016

According to Charles Bowao the main coordinator of the opposition group, this initiative will allow the opposition candidates to have their own results.

“We will have our own results and we will be able to say who won the election,” he said.

However, the move to create a parallel electoral body has been slammed by the government and according to Thiery Mounglla, the government spokesperson, the body is illegal.

He further added that the National Electoral commission is the only body that is mandated to conduct and announce the poll results.