Central African Republic

National Assembly

Political system
Presidential-Parliamentary
Structure of parliament
Unicameral
IPU membership
Yes
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Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s)
27 Dec 2020 to 25 Jul 2021
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
30 Apr 2021
Timing of election
Early elections
Expected date of next elections
31 Dec 2025
Number of seats at stake
140
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Results

About the election

President Faustin Archange Touadera’s United Hearts Movement (MCU) became the largest party, taking 61 of the 133 confirmed seats in the 140-member National Assembly (see note). The National Movement of Independents (MOUNI), led by Mr. Thierry Kamach, came distant second, taking nine seats. Only three other parties won more than five seats: the Union for Central African Renewal (URCA) of former Prime Minister Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, who led the Democratic Opposition Coalition-2020 (COD-2020); the Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), led by former Prime Minister Martin Ziguélé; and the Central African Democratic Rally (RDC, led by Mr. Désiré Bilal Zanga-Kolingba, who passed away before the first session). The National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" (KNK), led by former President Bozizé, took only three seats.

In the presidential elections held in parallel with the parliamentary polls, the incumbent President Touadera was re-elected in the first round, defeating, amongst others, Mr. Dologuélé (URCA). On 10 June 2021, Prime Minister Firmin Ngrebada announced his resignation and was succeeded by Mr. Henri Marie Dondra (MCU) the following day. On 23 June, the President appointed a 32-member Cabinet, including six women, upon proposition from the new Prime Minister. In addition to the MCU, members of the RDC joined the new Cabinet.

The 2020-2021 elections were held amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The first round was disrupted by rebels who prevented nearly half the population from going to the polls. The COD-2020 called for the elections to be cancelled, stating that about one third of the electorate were unable to vote and that the elections “were not fair and inclusive and are in no way the expression of the people’s will”.

Note:

The 2020-2021 elections were initially due to be held on 27 December 2020 (1st round) and 14 February 2021 (2nd round). The first round of the elections was not held or was cancelled in 69 constituencies due to security reasons. They were held together with the second round of the elections, which were delayed to 14 March 2021. The second round of the March 2021 elections were held on 23 May 2021. However, seven seats remained undecided. Additional elections to these seats were held on 25 July to conclude the long electoral process.

Number of parties winning seats
24
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
43.6%

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total
United Hearts Movement (MCU) 61
National Movement of Independents (MOUNI) 9
Union for Central African Renewal (URCA) 7
Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC) 6
Central African Democratic Rally (RDC) 5
African Party for a Radical Transformation and the Integration of States (PATRIE) 3
National Convergence Kwa Na Kwa" (KNK) 3
Path of Hope (CDE) 2
Renaissance for Sustainable Development (RDD) 2
Movement for Democracy and Development (MDD) 2
Party for Democratic Governance (PGD) 2
Action Party for Development (PAD) 2
Party for Democracy and Solidarity - Kélémba (KPDS) 1
Kodro Ti Mo Kozo Si Movement (MKMKS) 1
Transformation Through Action Initiative (ITA) 1
Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP) 1
Democratic Movement for the Renewal and Evolution of Central Africa (MDREC) 1
National Union of Republican Democrats (UNADER) 1
National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP) 1
Union for Renaissance and Development (URD) 1
Be Afrika ti é Kwè (Central Africa for Us All”, BTK) 1
Socialist Party (PS) 1
New Impetus for Central Africa (CANE) 1
Central African Party for Integrated Development (PCDI) 1
Independents 17
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
116
Number of women elected
17

Notes:

Out of 22 members elected in the first round held on 27 December 2020, two were women. In all, 90 members, including 10 women, had been elected before the first session of the newly elected National Assembly held on 3 May 2021.

On 23 May, elections to the 50 remaining seats were held. Forty-three members, including five women, were elected. After the formation of the new government in June, the number of women increased to 17 out of 133 members.

On 25 July, elections to the remaining seven seats were held. As at 21 September 2021, there were 18 women out of the full 140 members.

Percentage of women elected
12.8%
Women Directly Elected
17
Other notes on the elections

Note on the parties or coalitions winning seats

The statistics above refer to the composition of the National Assembly as at 3 May 2021, which comprised 133 members (with 7 vacancies).

The following parties won the remaining seats in the deferred elections held on 25 July 2021:

- United Hearts Movement (MCU): 2 seats

- Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC): 1 seat

- New Impetus for Central Africa (CANE): 1 seat

- Independents: 3 seats

Following the first session of the National Assembly held in May 2021, several members of other parties and independent candidates joined the ruling MCU. As at 21 September 2021, the MCU held 86 seats.

Sources

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
113
Total number of women after the election
17
Percentage of women after the election
13.1%
First-term parliamentarians
No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
No information available
Date of the first session
03 May 2021

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Simplice Mathieu Sarandji (Male)
Date of birth: 04 Apr 1955
Political party
United Hearts Movement (MCU)
Date of election
05 May 2021

Historical data for IPU membership

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Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No