Title: The CENI prohibits the presence of agents of the Ministry of the Interior in the offices for receiving applications
Introduction :
The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) recently issued a ban preventing agents of the Ministry of the Interior from presenting themselves at the offices for the reception and processing of applications (BRTC). This decision follows the appointment by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Interior, Peter Kazadi, of agents responsible for overseeing the application process. In a press release, the CENI made it clear that it would not tolerate any external interference in the management of electoral operations.
A dispute of interpretation:
During a press briefing, Deputy Prime Minister Kazadi affirmed that this measure was in no way an interference in the work of the CENI. According to him, the Ministry of the Interior complies with the prescriptions of the finance law, which gives it the role of supervising the revenue generated by the filing of candidatures during the elections. He therefore believes that the agents of his ministry were deployed with a clear mandate to ensure the financial management of this procedure. It is regrettable, according to him, that the CENI acted emotionally and perhaps did not take notice of these legal provisions.
For its part, the CENI maintains that only agents of the General Directorate of Administrative, Judicial, State and Participation Revenue (DGRAD) are authorized to be present in the BRTCs. Their mission is to deliver the collection note to candidates who wish to pay the costs of submitting applications on behalf of the Public Treasury.
The electoral calendar is maintained:
Despite this dispute, the CENI continues to receive candidacy files in accordance with its electoral calendar. The application submission period began on June 26 and will end on July 15, 2023. No extension will be granted. The filing fees are set at one million six hundred thousand Congolese francs (1,600,000 FC), in accordance with electoral law.
Conclusion :
This dispute between the CENI and the Ministry of the Interior highlights the tensions and differences in interpretation that can arise during electoral processes. It is necessary that these issues be clarified and resolved in a transparent manner in order to ensure the integrity and legitimacy of the elections. In the meantime, the CENI continues its work and ensures that the electoral calendar is respected