Republic of the Congo Senate election, 2008
Encyclopedia
An indirect Senate
election was held in the Republic of the Congo
on 5 August 2008. 42 of the 72 seats in the Senate were at stake in this election, with six elected from each of seven departments. The Senate was expanded by six members at the time of this election to account for the creation of Pointe-Noire Department. The senators were elected by councillors who were in turn elected in local elections on June 29, 2008. A presidential decree on July 24, 2008 stated that an electoral college to elect senators from seven departments—Pointe-Noire, Niari, Lekoumou, Pool, Plateaux, Cuvette West, and Likouala—would meet on August 5. In the election, there were a total of 133 candidates across the six departments where the election was being held. 33 candidates of the Rally of the Presidential Majority (RMP), which supports President Denis Sassou Nguesso
, were elected to the Senate, in addition to seven independent candidates and two candidates of the opposition Pan-African Union for Social Democracy
(UPADS).
Following the election, the Senate met on August 12, 2008, and elected its bureau. In the vote, conducted by secret ballot, a single list of candidates was presented and approved. André Obami Itou
was re-elected as President of the Senate, Benjamin Bounkoulou
was re-elected as First Vice-President, and Vincent Ganga was elected to the previously vacant post of Second Vice-President. Philomène Fouti Soungou was elected as First Secretary and Dominique Lekoyi was elected as Second Secretary.
Senate of the Republic of the Congo
The Parliament of the Republic of Congo has two chambers. The Senate is the upper house. It has 72 members , elected for a six year term by district, local and regional councils. Prior to the 2008 Senate election, it had 66 members; it was expanded to 72 members at that time to account for the...
election was held in the Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
on 5 August 2008. 42 of the 72 seats in the Senate were at stake in this election, with six elected from each of seven departments. The Senate was expanded by six members at the time of this election to account for the creation of Pointe-Noire Department. The senators were elected by councillors who were in turn elected in local elections on June 29, 2008. A presidential decree on July 24, 2008 stated that an electoral college to elect senators from seven departments—Pointe-Noire, Niari, Lekoumou, Pool, Plateaux, Cuvette West, and Likouala—would meet on August 5. In the election, there were a total of 133 candidates across the six departments where the election was being held. 33 candidates of the Rally of the Presidential Majority (RMP), which supports President Denis Sassou Nguesso
Denis Sassou Nguesso
Denis Sassou Nguesso is a Congolese politician who has been the President of Congo-Brazzaville since 1997; he was previously President from 1979 to 1992. During his first period as President, he headed the single-party regime of the Congolese Labour Party for 12 years...
, were elected to the Senate, in addition to seven independent candidates and two candidates of the opposition Pan-African Union for Social Democracy
Pan-African Union for Social Democracy
The Pan-African Union for Social Democracy is a political party in the Republic of the Congo, led by former president Pascal Lissouba....
(UPADS).
Following the election, the Senate met on August 12, 2008, and elected its bureau. In the vote, conducted by secret ballot, a single list of candidates was presented and approved. André Obami Itou
André Obami Itou
André Obami Itou is a Congolese politician. He has been a leading figure in the Congolese Labour Party since the 1970s, and he has been the President of the Senate of Congo-Brazzaville since 2007.-Political career:...
was re-elected as President of the Senate, Benjamin Bounkoulou
Benjamin Bounkoulou
Benjamin Bounkoulou is a Congolese politician who served in the government of Congo-Brazzaville as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1992 to 1995 under President Pascal Lissouba. He has been President of the Union for the Republic , a political party, since 1995...
was re-elected as First Vice-President, and Vincent Ganga was elected to the previously vacant post of Second Vice-President. Philomène Fouti Soungou was elected as First Secretary and Dominique Lekoyi was elected as Second Secretary.