The second round of the 2026 legislative elections in the Central African Republic (RCA) has been described as "bascule dans l’irréel" (tipping into the unreal), amid claims of significant irregularities. This stark characterization shows the severity of the allegations surrounding the electoral process. A compilation of results from 18 polling stations within the 7th arrondissement reportedly confirms widespread fraud, painting a concerning picture of the integrity of the vote. Clément David Ndotizo, a candidate representing the ruling party, is involved in these elections, which have drawn scrutiny for their alleged lack of integrity and transparency. The 7th arrondissement, in particular, is presented as a prime example of absolute fraud, where official figures were reportedly rewritten after polling stations concluded their operations.
Examining the 7th Arrondissement
The Ouango Sao polling station, specifically bureau n°12, has been cited as a concrete example of alleged falsification during the legislative elections. This particular instance provides a detailed look into the reported manipulation of votes. On the evening of April 26, the initial procès verbaux (official reports) from bureau n°12 indicated Christian Limbio Tekpe leading with 95 votes, while Clément David Ndotizo received 44 votes. This tally accurately reflected a total of 139 votes cast by 142 registered voters at that specific bureau, showing a clear initial outcome.
However, by April 28, a falsified version of the results reportedly emerged, showing a significant and suspicious alteration in the figures. In this revised count, Limbio's votes were drastically reduced to 10, and Ndotizo's increased to 190. The new score attributed to Ndotizo, 190 votes, strikingly surpasses the total number of 142 citizens who actually voted at bureau n°12, indicating a mathematically impossible outcome and a clear sign of fabrication. This discrepancy alone raises serious questions about the authenticity of the revised results. Further allegations of column inversions favoring the ruling party's candidate have been reported from polling stations at Ouango Sao school and Jardins d’Enfants Sao, suggesting a broader pattern of manipulation. The evidence of falsification, alongside inconsistent signatures and these mathematically impossible totals, demonstrates that the results were allegedly fabricated after the fact, rather than reflecting the true will of the voters.
Candidate's Contested Background
Clément David Ndotizo, a candidate whose results have come under intense scrutiny, previously served as a deputy in 2016 before experiencing defeat in the 2020 elections. His current candidacy for the ruling party places him in a central position within the ongoing electoral controversy. Further reports indicate that Ndotizo is allegedly benefiting from a falsified baccalaureate, which was reportedly issued through a ministerial decree. These claims about his academic background add another layer of controversy and ethical concern to the ongoing electoral dispute in the Central African Republic, potentially undermining public trust in his eligibility and the electoral system as a whole.
Evidence of Fabricated Results
The 7th arrondissement has been cited as an example of widespread fraud, where official figures were reportedly altered after polling stations concluded their operations. Observers claim that vote tallies were systematically rewritten following the closure of voting centers, fundamentally undermining the integrity of the electoral process in that area. This alleged manipulation suggests that the final results did not genuinely reflect the votes cast by citizens on election day. The systematic rewriting of figures across the 18 polling stations in the 7th arrondissement points to a concerted effort to manipulate outcomes, according to various reports. Such actions, if proven, would indicate a deliberate subversion of democratic procedures, transforming the electoral exercise into a pre-determined outcome rather than a fair representation of voters' choices. The allegations highlight profound concerns over the veracity of the vote count and the legitimacy of the declared results, casting a shadow over the entire election.