The CENI’s Application Reception and Processing Office (BRTC) in Lubumbashi, located in the province of Haut Katanga, was very busy on Saturday July 22. Indeed, the seven-day extension period granted by the CENI for the submission of application files will soon end.
According to the agents present on site, this extension was beneficial in gathering the necessary documents, but it still represented a major challenge. Juvénal Kitungwa, member of the political group Action alternatives desacteurs pour l’amour du Congo (AAC), testifies: “To succeed in compiling the files, we faced many difficulties which required the CENI to give political parties and groups sufficient time to prepare and submit the files in due time. The forms to be completed are numerous and require great technicality”.
The filing of applications for the elections of national deputies will end this Sunday, July 23 at 4:30 p.m., in all 168 reception and application processing offices spread across the country.
These moments of submitting candidacies are crucial for the democratic process of the country, because they allow the various political actors to make their voices heard and to participate actively in national political life. However, with the complexity of the documents to be completed and the technical requirements, it is important that stakeholders have adequate time to prepare their files and meet the deadlines set by the CENI.
It is therefore essential that the competent authorities ensure that the procedures for submitting candidatures are clear, accessible and fair, in order to guarantee the transparency and integrity of the electoral process. In addition, measures should be taken to facilitate administrative procedures and reduce the obstacles faced by political parties and groups when compiling their files.
In conclusion, the filing of candidacies for the elections of national deputies is a crucial moment in the democratic process in the DRC. It is essential that political actors have adequate time to prepare their cases and that filing procedures are transparent and fair. This will ensure the integrity of the electoral process and build citizens’ confidence in their political system