Since the news of the death of Jean Claude Adjessa Melingui , the outgoing Mayor of Yaounde VI Council and candidate in the said council list for the September 30, 2013 twin parliamentary and local council elections broke out, many people have been wondering how his replacement will be done.
The Electoral Code makes provisions for handling such unforeseen issues. Section 187 of the Electoral Code provides that, "The Electoral Board shall draw up and publish the lists of candidates at least 60 days before the date of the polls."
On specific provisions on the replacement of candidates in such published lists, Section 188 of the Electoral Code states that, "If a candidate whose name appears on a list dies or is disqualified, he may be replaced, not later than 30 days to the opening of the poll by another candidate, in accordance with the procedure for the nomination of candidates."
Judging from the provisions of the Electoral Code, Jean Claude Adjessa Melingui cannot be replaced because he died on Saturday, September 7, 2013, indeed 23 days to the opening of the poll.
