2016 Republic of the Congo presidential election Sunday March 20,2016

The 2016 Republic of the Congo presidential election is scheduled to be held on Sunday March 20,2016 which will be he first election to be held under the constitution passed by the Referendum in 2015

Incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso is seeking a third term as he is allowed to run again due to the adoption of the new constitution.

On 14 January 2016, a law was adopted creating a new electoral commission, the Independent National Election Commission (Commission nationale électorale indépendante, CNEI), replacing the National Commission for the Organisation of Elections (Commission nationale d’organisation des élections, CONEL). The law was the result of dialogue between government and opposition parties

All adults over the age of 18 can vote

A decree issued by the Minister of the Interior on 1 February 2016 scheduled the official campaign period to run from 4 March to midnight on 18 March 2016. The period for the submission of applications to stand as presidential candidates was set to run from 5 February to 20 February



Presidential Candidates
Congolese Labour Party(PCT) announced on 25 January 2016 that Sassou Nguesso would be the party's presidential candidate

The Main Opposition Party,the Pan African Union for Social Democracy UPADS), designated its leader Pascal Tsaty Mabiala as its presidential candidate.

Congo votes in presidential poll under communications blackout

Voters went to the polls in Congo Republic on Sunday March 20,2016 under a government-imposed communications blackout as long-time leader Denis Sassou Nguesso sought to extend his rule  

The government also banned the use of motor vehicles nationwide during the vote, and police checkpoints were erected across the capital Brazzaville to verify that those circulating had obtained special permission.

Incumbent President Sassou Nguesso is heavily favored to win the polls. Having ruled from 1979 to 1992, when he lost an election, Sassou Nguesso regained power in 1997 after a brief civil war and then went on to win disputed elections in 2002 and 2009.

Incumbent President Sassou Nguesso faces 8 opponents, including retired General Jean-Marie Mokoko who is seen as the strongest challenger 

His supporters credit him with restoring stability and developing the country's infrastructure. Critics, however, say Congo's oil wealth has enriched a small elite. Around half of the population of 4.5 million lives in poverty

The polls will be watched closely by other leaders in Africa - notably in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo - where a number of long-serving presidents are seeking to stay on beyond constitutionally mandated term limits