Congo-Brazzaville 2026 election calendar clarified
The electoral process for the 2026 presidential election in the Republic of the Congo has entered what officials describe as a decisive administrative phase, as the formal window for submitting candidacy files is now defined.
In an order made public in Brazzaville on 23 January, the Minister of the Interior and Decentralisation, Raymond Zéphirin Mboulou, set the period for filing declarations of candidacy from 29 January to 12 February 2026 (Journal de Brazza). The measure, issued within the framework of the existing electoral timetable, establishes a two-week timeframe during which prospective candidates are expected to lodge their documentation with the General Directorate of Electoral Affairs (Direction générale des affaires électorales, DGAE).
Presidential vote dates: early ballot and nationwide polling
According to the timetable referenced in the ministerial order, the presidential election is scheduled to take place in two stages. An early vote for the force publique is set for 12 March 2026, followed by the general vote across the national territory on 15 March 2026 (Journal de Brazza).
This sequencing, as presented by the authorities, aims to ensure that those assigned to public security duties are able to participate in the ballot ahead of operational deployments associated with election-day responsibilities. The dates also provide political stakeholders and election administrators with fixed points around which campaign and logistical planning can be organised.
Candidacy dossier requirements under the electoral law
The order reiterates the formalities required for submitting a presidential bid. It specifies that “any candidate for the election of the President of the Republic shall make a legalised declaration of candidacy in four copies” (Journal de Brazza). That declaration must be accompanied by administrative and legal documents stipulated by the electoral legislation.
Among the required items cited are a tax morality declaration, proof of payment to the Public Treasury of a non-refundable deposit of 25 million CFA francs, and a medical certificate issued by a panel of three physicians sworn in by the Constitutional Court (Journal de Brazza). The file is also to include a specimen signature and an extract from the criminal record (bulletin No. 2).
In practice, such requirements serve two functions. First, they provide election administrators with standardised information for verifying eligibility and processing applications within a limited timeframe. Second, they signal—through the combined fiscal, judicial and medical documentation—a preference for a candidacy procedure that is documentary, traceable and formally reviewable.
Political arena poised for structured competition
With the official opening of the filing period, Congo-Brazzaville’s political scene is expected to move further into an electoral mode, as potential contenders weigh the administrative steps and financial commitments required to formalise their participation (Journal de Brazza).
At this stage, the publicly available information chiefly concerns procedure and deadlines rather than declared candidacies. For that reason, any assessment of the likely field of candidates would be premature. What is clear, however, is that the DGAE will, from 29 January, become the institutional focal point for the reception and processing of candidacy declarations, under the timetable set out by the Interior Ministry.
In the coming weeks, attention will likely concentrate on the pace of submissions and the ability of political actors to meet the documentary standards set by law, as the country progresses toward the March 2026 voting dates within the established national framework.
Infographic and photo reference for readers
Infographic (based on the ministerial order reported by Journal de Brazza): 23 January 2026, order made public; 29 January–12 February 2026, filing of candidacy declarations; 12 March 2026, early vote for the force publique; 15 March 2026, nationwide general vote (Journal de Brazza).
Photo: Illustrative image accompanying the original report, credited “© Droits réservés” (Journal de Brazza).