The CENCO-ECC electoral observation mission of Congo strongly opposes the approach of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) concerning the call for tenders for the recruitment of auditors for the electoral register. She fears the lack of independence of the auditors and the presentation of a biased or manipulated report.
The risk of a lack of consensus on the electoral register is real and will reinforce mistrust between political actors, and public confidence in the electoral process is likely to deteriorate further. Ultimately, this could undermine the credibility of the election results.
In a statement made on May 11, 2023, the MOE CENCO-ECC warns the CENI and all stakeholders that if the process of external audit of the file is carried out as such, there is a risk of radicalization of doubts about the sincerity of the process. electoral. This could create the conditions necessary for contesting the results of the polls, and the credibility of the electoral process and the final results would thus be undermined.
The CENI has launched a call for applications for the recruitment of a mixed mission of national and international experts to audit the electoral register compiled by the CENI following the identification and voter registration operations. This mission is expected at the CENI from May 15 to 20, 2023.
However, in correspondence addressed to the President of the CENI, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) indicated that it would not be able to carry out the external audit of the electoral register in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the CENI wanted it. The main reason was the lack of time to complete this task within the given time frame.
For the EOM CENCO-ECC, it is imperative that the CENI calls on an independent and experienced body on this issue to carry out the work in a timely manner, and without compromising the national sovereignty or the independence of this body.
All these elements demonstrate the importance of transparency and independence in the organization of elections, in order to guarantee the integrity of the results and the confidence of citizens in the democratic process.