The Front Commun pour le Congo (FCC) continues to stand firm regarding its decision not to participate in the next elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) if consensual conditions are not met. In a recently published communication, the opposition parliamentary group reiterated its position that it will not participate in the elections scheduled for December 2023 without an independent national electoral commission (CENI) comprising delegates appointed by their components.
However, the CENI has already reassured on the respect of the constitutional deadline, a sign that the opposition, civil society and the majority do not speak the same language on the eve of the elections. The FCC also criticized the Constitutional Court, described as “non-subordinate”, whose members are appointed in accordance with the constitution and the laws in force. The political party also contests the electoral law, believing that it does not guarantee transparency and equal opportunities for all competitors.
The registration of voters, which resulted in a bill on the distribution of seats in the national assembly, was not exempt from criticism from the FCC. They note that this was done in a context of fraud, amateurism and the glaring absence of a credible external audit rendering it unreliable. According to them, the electoral mapping, the distribution of enrollment kits, were carried out without taking into account the demography and the surface area of the electoral constituencies, so that the underpopulated constituencies saw themselves increasing by kits and consequently by number of seats.
The quality of voter cards is also questioned by the FCC, considering that they fade after a while and become unusable. All this demonstrates, according to the opposition parliamentary group, the unreliability of the electoral process, which portends future chaotic and fraudulent elections.
The DRC is at a decisive turning point in its history with a weakened political situation. The electoral crisis could plunge the country into unprecedented turmoil if the FCC does not decide to participate in the elections, as it already happened in 2018. Peace in the Great Lakes region could also be threatened. The DRC and its partners therefore need to remain vigilant to guarantee a peaceful and transparent electoral process.