The Democratic Republic of Congo has summoned its electorate for the next national legislative elections. These will be held from June 26 to July 15 and applications will be received by the application reception and processing offices in no less than 171 locations across the country. Persons wishing to stand for election must meet the following criteria: be of Congolese nationality, be at least 25 years old, enjoy civil and political rights, be an elector or register when submitting their candidacy, hold a higher education or five years’ professional experience in the political, administrative or socio-economic fields.
The CENI also encourages independent candidates, parties and political groups to favor the promotion of gender with a female presence of up to 50% on their list of candidates. It is also recommended that candidates put forward young people for the municipal elections.
Candidates who have not been identified or registered during the appropriate periods as well as those who have lost or damaged their voter card will also be able to register for these national legislative elections. Congolese living abroad will have to submit their file in the electoral districts of their choice in the DRC.
The declaration of candidacy must be complete with an original letter of consent, an identity card with a CV, 4 passport photos, the logo of the party or political grouping as well as the names of the two substitutes. Will also be necessary, the voter’s card (photocopy), the act or certificate of birth, proof of payment of 1,600,000 Congolese francs per seat, the original of the letter of nomination of the candidate by his party or group policy as well as a certified photocopy of the graduate or university diploma.
The national legislative elections are thus an opportunity for the Congolese to express their choice democratically and to encourage the promotion of diversity in government bodies.