Title: The external audit of the electoral register in the DRC: transparency and fairness to be respected
On May 9, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) launched a call for candidates for the external audit of the electoral register. According to the CENI calendar, the external audit should take place from 15 to 20 May. The filing of application files ended on May 11 and the CENI received approximately 200 applications from Congolese and foreign nationals.
However, concerns about the transparency of the contract award process have been raised in recent days. Indeed, it would seem that personalities, such as university professors, would have met the president of the CENI, Denis Kadima, to offer their services for the realization of the external audit of the electoral register.
This presents a high risk of favoritism and corruption in the awarding of the contract. To ensure fairness and transparency in the process, the full list of candidates should be made public and shortlisted candidates should be given equal treatment. It is crucial that the electoral register be audited under the strictest conditions of transparency, fairness and technicality to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.
In short, the external audit of the electoral register is a key element in guaranteeing the credibility of the electoral process in the DRC and must not be tainted by suspicions of corruption or favouritism. Transparency and fairness must be scrupulously respected so that the process is credible and accepted by all