Lubumbashi, capital of the province of Haut Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is at the heart of the political turmoil as the elections are fast approaching. The firm Target recently released the results of an opinion poll on the voting intentions of the city’s inhabitants. This study aims to understand the effective participation of the population in elections, the factors that influence their choice of candidate, the ideal candidate and the speeches that meet their expectations.
The results of the poll reveal that only 36% of respondents know precisely the names of the candidates for whom they will vote in the next election. Among these respondents, Jean de Dieu Mulenda of the PPRD party is in the lead with 7% of voting intentions, followed closely by Vital Nsunzu of the ACO party with 5%. However, a significant part of the population (43%) say they do not know who to vote for, and 21% say they do not support any candidate. It is also interesting to note that among those who have not yet made their choice, 25% are women aged 35 and over.
With regard to the distribution of voting intentions by political camp, the poll indicates parity between the candidates of the majority and the opposition, with a score of 11% for each group. However, some nuances emerge. Jean de Dieu Mulenda is supported more by women, mainly in the 25-34 age bracket, while Vital Nsunzu is preferred by men, especially young people between 18 and 34 years old. Jacques Kyabula ranks third, with more support among men aged 25-34. As for Christian Mwando, he garners only a small percentage of support, exclusively from men aged 50 and over.
These results highlight some interesting trends in voting intentions in Lubumbashi. They draw attention to the need for voter education and information, especially for women and older segments of the population. They also underline the importance of political speeches that meet voters’ expectations and the motivations that lead them to choose one candidate over another.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing to organize its 4th electoral cycle since the adoption of the new constitution in 2006. These elections take on particular significance in a context where the country is seeking to consolidate its democracy and strengthen citizen participation