Title: Controversial electoral candidacy: Moïse Katumbi and the photocopy controversy
Introduction :
The candidacy of Moïse Katumbi for the presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the subject of intense controversy. Indeed, when submitting his candidacy file to the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), Katumbi’s team presented itself with photocopies of the required documents, thus raising questions about the validity of his candidacy. In this article, we will analyze the ins and outs of this affair and the potential consequences for the presidential race in the DRC.
The incomplete file:
When submitting its application, Moïse Katumbi’s team did not provide the originals of the documents required by the CENI. Two essential documents, namely the extract from the criminal record and the certificate of nationality, were missing from the file presented. Instead, certified copies were provided, causing a hold-up in the application validation process.
The reaction from the Katumbi camp:
Faced with this situation, Moïse Katumbi’s camp promised to return the next day with the complete file, this time including the originals of the missing documents. According to them, this is simply an administrative formality and should not call into question Katumbi’s candidacy.
The electoral legislation in force:
It is important to emphasize that the procedure required by the CENI, namely providing original supporting documents, complies with the electoral legislation in force in the DRC. All applications must be treated equally and applicants must comply with established rules.
Consequences for Katumbi’s candidacy:
Although this situation may seem like a simple administrative formality, it could have consequences for Moïse Katumbi’s candidacy. Indeed, any delay in submitting the complete file could delay the validation of his candidacy and potentially affect his electoral campaign.
Conclusion :
The candidacy of Moïse Katumbi for the presidential election in the DRC is tainted by the photocopying controversy. While his team presented certified copies when submitting the file to the CENI, the absence of the originals of the required documents raises questions about the validity of his application. It remains to be seen how this matter will be resolved and what the consequences will be for the presidential race in the DRC.