constituteproject.org • International law • Head of state selection • Head of state term length • Head of state term limits PDF generated: 18 Apr 2016, 15:22 He assures, by his arbitration, the regular functioning of the public powers and of the institutions as well as the continuity of the State. He is the guarantor of national independence, of the integrity of the territory, of the national sovereignty and of respect for the international treaties and agreements. Article 70 The President of the Republic is elected by direct universal suffrage for a mandate of five years renewable a single time. At the end of his mandate, the President of the Republic remains in [his] functions until the effective installation of the newly elected President. • Head of state selection Article 71 [Amended by Law No. 11/002 of 20 January 2011.] The President of the Republic is elected by the simple majority of the suffrage expressed. • Eligibility for head of state Article 72 • Minimum age of head of state No one may be a candidate for election as President of the Republic, if they do not meet the following conditions:   1. to possess Congolese nationality of origin;   2. to be at least 30 years of age;   3. to enjoy full civil and political rights;   4. to not be subject to one of the cases of exclusion established by the electoral law. • Scheduling of elections Article 73 The ballot for the election of the President of the Republic is convoked by the Independent National Electoral Commission, ninety days before the expiration of the mandate of the President in office. • Oaths to abide by constitution Article 74 The elected President of the Republic enters into his functions within the ten days which follow the proclamation of the definitive results of the presidential election. Before he enters into his functions, the President of the Republic takes, before the Constitutional Court, the following oath: "I, ... , elected President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, solemnly swear before God and the Nation: • to observe and defend the Constitution and the laws of the Republic; • to maintain its independence and integrity of its territory; • to safeguard the national unity; • to be guided only by the general interest and the respect of the rights of the human person; Congo (Democratic Republic of the) 2005 (rev. 2011) Page 19