The application reception and processing offices (BRTC) in Goma and Nyiragongo, in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are facing a surprising delay in submitting applications. A few days before the end of the operation, no candidate has yet submitted his list.
The presidents of the BRTCs of Goma and Nyiragongo announced this situation during a press conference. They indicated that 49 political parties, political groupings and independent candidates have simply withdrawn the forms without filing them so far.
The president of the BRTC of Goma, Mathieu Rutshogoza, however specified having received, a few days before, 10 political parties, 13 political groupings and 6 independent candidates who came to collect the application forms.
Despite this delay, local officials of the CENI, the Independent National Electoral Commission, have called on political parties and groups to submit their files before the deadline in order to avoid possible last-minute problems.
The operation of submitting and processing applications began on June 26, 2023 and must be closed on July 15, 2023, according to the schedule established by the CENI.
This surprising situation raises questions about the reasons for this delay in submitting applications. Is it due to organizational problems, hesitations of political parties or other still unknown factors?
It is essential that political actors take the necessary steps quickly to submit their candidacies within the given deadlines. Elections are a key moment for democracy and citizen participation, and it is important that all actors play their part in this process.
The situation in the BRTCs of Goma and Nyiragongo highlights the importance of effective organization and clear communication between political parties and the CENI. We hope that these problems will be quickly resolved so that the electoral process can take place in the best possible conditions.
In conclusion, it is essential that the political parties in the DR Congo respect the deadlines for submitting candidacies in order to guarantee a democratic and credible election. The political and social stakes are high, and it is essential that all actors fully engage in this process to ensure a promising future for the country