The presidential election in Congo-Brazzaville was heavily influenced by the incumbent president Denis Sassou-Nguesso's bid for a fifth consecutive term. While six candidates were officially in the race, the absence of significant opposition figures, as major opposition parties did not present candidates, raised questions about the competitiveness of the election. Voting took place on March 15, and the polls closed at 6 p.m., but the day was marked by a complete shutdown of telephone and internet services, which many observers believe impeded the transparency of the electoral process.

The atmosphere during the voting was unusually quiet, particularly in the Quinze district, known to be supportive of President Sassou-Nguesso, where the ballot counting had concluded without any observers present to monitor the process. The results were recorded hastily on chalkboards without any photographic evidence or online sharing, indicating a lack of engagement and transparency. The communication blackout may have contributed to this isolation, raising concerns about the validity of the election results and the ability of citizens to express their political opinions freely.

The cutting of communications has been met with mixed perceptions among the populace, suggesting a possible governmental strategy to control the narrative surrounding the election. Critics voice that this act further narrows the already limited space for democracy in the country, with fears that such measures could lead to public disillusionment and increase political tensions. Overall, the election reflects the ongoing challenges to civil liberties and democratic processes in Congo-Brazzaville, especially under Sassou-Nguesso's long-standing regime.