CAR Election: Constitutional Court Upholds President Touadera’s Election Win

Central African Republic’s (CAR) Constitutional Court on Monday confirmed President Faustin-Archange Touadera’s re-election in the first round of a presidential election held in December last year, reported Africa News.

After the election results were out, the opposition had urged the court to order a re-run of the voting, saying the election was marred by alleged irregularities. The opposition argued that Touadera’s victory was the result of massive fraud and insecurity. However, the court rejected the opposition’s claim and announced Monday that Touadera had won with 53.90 percent of votes cast by 35 percent of registered voters.

The court reportedly reduced the score to 53.16% because ballots in two towns were canceled over irregularities. The runner-up was former Prime Minister Anicet George Dologuele who garnered 21.69 percent of the votes.

The December presidential election in the CAR was marred by violence by rebel groups who wanted to disrupt the election after former President Francois Bozize was barred from running in the presidential election by the country’s highest court.

 Bozize, who took power in a coup in 2003 and ruled until 2013, faces an international arrest warrant for crimes against humanity and incitement of genocide. He also faces U.N. sanctions for his alleged role in supporting the militia groups that resisted Seleka rebels in 2013.

The rebel groups attacked and destroyed voting materials in several voting stations that prevented people from voting in many polling stations. According to official figures released by the electoral commission, about 800 out of 5,408 polling stations did not open on Election Day as armed rebels attacked voters and barred electoral staff from working.

The United Nations said over 55,000 people have fled the CAR over a fear of violence in recent weeks. According to Human Rights Watch, at least five civilians had been killed.