Martin Fayulu challenges presidential election results in court

Martin Fairou filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court on Friday, challenging the provisional results of the presidential election announced two days ago by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The National Electoral Commission said Fayulu came in second with 35.2 percent of the vote, while opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi won with 38.57 percent.

“I will not abandon the people. The people cannot accept a special arrangement that goes against their will. The people voted for provincial representatives, national representatives and the president of the republic,” Mr Fayulu said on Saturday.

The Ramuka alliance candidate said he rejected the idea that anyone would “fudge the (election) results to return Mr Kabila to power tomorrow”.

“They call me a warrior of the people, a defender of the temple, and I will not abandon the people. We will persevere and take back victory,” Mr Fayulu said.

According to article 75 of the Electoral Code, the courts competent to hear electoral disputes are: the Constitutional Court for presidential and legislative elections, the Administrative Court of Appeal for provincial elections and the Administrative Tribunal for municipal and local elections.

The Constitutional Court has seven days to hear appeals on the presidential election. If the appeal is declared inadmissible or frivolous by the relevant court, the court will announce the final result of the election depending on the case.