Two senior judges from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s constitutional court have resigned in a move that is likely to put in question the transparency of the December elections, the BBC reports.
The two jurists, Banyaku Luape and Jean-Louis Esambo who had a reputation for being independent have not given their reasons for quitting.
In 2016, they stayed away from a hearing that allowed the electoral commission to delay that year’s poll.
The constitutional court is now down to six members from nine following their departure and the death of another judge Yvon Kalonda last weekend.
The elections are set for December 23 according to the country’s government making it two years after the expiry of President Joseph Kabila’s mandate.
There have been questions on how fair that poll can be following a clampdown on dissent, disarray in the opposition as well as the state of the electoral roll.
DR Congo’s constitutional court is the single body where aggrieved candidates can challenge an election.
Its members are chosen by the president, parliament and the council of judges.
