News of July 24, 2023: Closing of applications for the election of national deputies
After an extension period of 7 days, the operations for filing and processing applications for the election of national deputies end this Sunday, July 23, 2023. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has announced the closure of the procedure in the 168 Offices for Receiving and Processing Applications (BRTC) distributed across the national territory.
During this period, the CENI registered a significant number of applications. In the province of Kongo Central, for example, the CENI mission sent to the field noted an increase in the number of files submitted to local branches. In Kasangulu, 26 application files were registered, while in Madimba, 61 files were registered. Mbanza Ngungu also registered a high number of applications, with a total of 142 registered candidates.
These figures suggest a high voter turnout in these regions, even exceeding the number of candidates registered in previous elections.
The CENI is pleased with the quality of the service provided to the BRTC and the many candidates who have decided to stand for this election. All applications will be reviewed by CENI staff to verify compliance with legal criteria and to ensure a transparent and fair electoral process.
The closing of candidacies marks a crucial step in the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The next steps will consist of the validation of candidacies, the electoral campaign and finally, the election of national deputies.
The Congolese population is impatiently awaiting the outcome of this electoral process, which will constitute an important step in the consolidation of democracy in the country. The national legislative elections will play a vital role in the representation of the Congolese people in the National Assembly and in making important political decisions for the future of the country.
The CENI will continue to inform the public on the progress of the electoral process and on the next steps to come.