82-year-old Sassou N’Guesso predicted to return to power as vote counting begins in Congo presidential election

Ballot counting has begun in the Republic of the Congo following the closure of polls in a presidential election where incumbent Denis Sassou N’Guesso is seeking a fifth consecutive term in office.

Authorities say official results are expected within two weeks, ABC news reports.

The election was characterised by low voter turnout, with many citizens expressing little confidence that the vote would bring a change in leadership.

Some opposition parties had called for a boycott, arguing that the electoral process was unfair.

Six candidates contested the presidency against the 82-year-old leader, but analysts say none posed a serious challenge to the long-serving incumbent.

Internet services were also shut down nationwide during the vote, while movement in the capital, Brazzaville, was restricted.

Some voters questioned the need for the communication blackout.
During the campaign period, Sassou N’Guesso appeared to dominate the race.

He was the only candidate who travelled widely across the country to campaign, while posters and billboards bearing his image were visible across the capital.

Two major opposition parties refused to participate in the election, citing concerns over alleged irregularities and lack of fairness in the electoral process.

Sassou N’Guesso, who is running under the banner of the Congolese Party of Labor, first took power in 1979.

He ruled until 1992, when multi-party elections were introduced, before returning to power in 1997 after a four-month civil war.

A 2015 constitutional referendum removed presidential age and term limits, allowing him to contest further elections.

The oil-rich Central African country faces significant economic challenges. According to the World Bank, the country’s international debt stands at about 94.5 percent of gross domestic product.

High unemployment among young people and widespread poverty remain major concerns, with more than half of the population living below the poverty line.

Sassou N’Guesso is among the longest-serving leaders on the continent.

He is the third-longest-serving African president, behind Paul Biya of Cameroon and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.