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Constitutional Reform – 2002

While rights groups had urged international donors not to support the voting on the draft constitution for reasons of alleged electoral fraud, the referendum took place on 20 January 2002 as scheduled.¹ In the referendum, the new constitution was overwhelmingly approved. Out of 1.6 million registered voters, 78% casted their votes in the referendum and 84% of those voted in favor and 11% in opposition of the constitution. The referendum, however, was boycotted by opposition parties and at least one opposition leader rejected the result.² After the approval of a draft constitution in a referendum, presidential, legislative and municipal elections were scheduled for March 10, May 12 and June 9 respectively.³

In the presidential elections held on 13 March 2002, Sassou Nguesso was elected and received 89.41 percent of the vote.⁴ The first round of legislative elections was held in May, as scheduled. 137 seats were up for grabs . After allegations of voting irregularities, elections in 11 districts did not take place. Elections in all eight districts in Pool region also did not take place.⁵ Candidates needed to win at least 50% of the vote to be elected; in the first round of elections, the ruling Congolese Workers Party won 29 out of 55 seats. The second round of voting for 82 seats was scheduled for June 23.⁶ When final results came in in June, president’s party and its allies won 83 of 137 seats.⁷ The first municipal elections took place on 30 June 2002.⁸ The majority of municipalities were won by the ruling party. Following the elections, the president announced his new cabinet on 19 August 2002.⁹

As envisioned in the national dialogue, a new constitution was drafted and elections for presidential, legislative and municipal bodies took place. This provided a foundation for the return of the Republic of Congo in a democratic process. The whole process, however was dominated by the governing party; and those elections were not regarded as free and fair.¹⁰

1. “Rights groups urge donors not to support Republic of Congo election process,” Associated Press, January 15, 2002; “Republic of Congo approves new constitution,” Associated Press, January 23, 2002.
2. “Republic of Congo approves new constitution,” Associated Press, January 23, 2002.
3. Ibid.
4. “Republic of Congo since the return to power of Sassou Nguesso,” Agence France Presse, May 22, 2002.
5. “Republic of Congo legislative elections held again in six districts,” Associated Press, May 29, 2002.
6. “Ruling party leads in first round of Republic of Congo legislative elections,” Associated Press, June 4, 2002.
7. “President supporters win parliamentary majority in Republic of Congo,” Associated Press, June 28, 2002.
8. “Republic of Congo holds first municipal elections in five years,” Associated Press, June 30, 2002.
9. “Republic of Congo president names new Cabinet,” Associated Press, August 19, 2002.
10. “UK Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate Country Report – The Republic of Congo (Brazzaville),” United Kingdom: Home Office, last edited April 1, 2004, accessed June 21, 2012, http://www.refworld.org/docid/40a887857.html.