Here is what happens prior to February 9 twin elections

With the electorate already convened for February 9, 2020 for the municipal and legislative elections, here is what happens next.

Going by the timeline of activities leading to the exercise, candidates within the ruling CPDM party are expected to declare their candidacies by submitting the necessary documents by November 21st. They will also be expected to declare their candidacies to the electoral body, ELECAM 15 days after its convocation i.e November 26.

Going by article 126 of the electoral code, ELECAM will on its part be expected to publish the list of eligible candidates 60 days before the election, making it December 11. Candidates with cases of rejection or other challenges have two days to rectify all issues with the body, which will in turn be given 10 days to examine all complaints and arrive at a conclusion.

The electoral campaign would then be officially opened by January 25, till midnight of February 8, the eve of the elections. Following the February 9 elections, the results are expected to be declared 20 days after (29 February). One week later, Tuesday March 10, the elected members of parliament and the Senate according to article 148 – 4,5 of the electoral code sit in plenary session.