The CENCO-ECC Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) issued a press release this Wednesday, May 10 to express its concern about the Notice of Call for Candidates issued by the CENI concerning the External Audit Mission of the 2022-2023 electoral register of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The EOM CENCO-ECC points in particular to contradictions in the provisions of the opinion and insufficient time to analyze all the procedures relating to the file, as well as to draft the various reports, thus forcing the CENI to direct or manipulate its report.
The EOM CENCO-ECC warns that if the process of external audit of the file is carried out as planned, it could reinforce mistrust and deteriorate public confidence in the electoral process in the DRC. The Mission thus proposes that an independent body experienced in the matter be identified and invited to carry out this work within the appropriate timeframe, respecting the conditions which preserve national sovereignty, without offending the independence of the said body.
This is not the first time that the constitution of an electoral file has been the subject of controversy in the DRC. The voter identification and registration operations were particularly contested by certain political actors and those of civil society. By publishing its final report on voter registration on May 15, the EOM CENCO-ECC will continue to contribute to the transparency and credibility of electoral processes in the DRC.
In parallel, several interesting articles have been published on Fatshimetry’s blog concerning the situation in the DRC. For example, one article deals with the humanitarian crisis in the DRC, while another evokes the mobilization to respond to the explosion of needs and finance the humanitarian response. Other articles deal with various subjects such as the reorganization of the diamond sector, the recomposition of the CENI or the stabilization of the exchange rate in the DRC.