Title: Legislative elections in the DRC: a process underway despite the obstacles
Introduction:
The legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) scheduled for December 2023 are attracting great national and international attention. Despite the challenges and controversies that have emerged throughout the process, the power in place affirms its desire to maintain the date scheduled for the elections. In this article, we will take a closer look at the current candidacy situation and the issues surrounding these legislative elections.
1. The admissibility threshold: a rigorous selection criterion
The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) has established an admissibility threshold for political parties and political groupings wishing to participate in the legislative elections. This threshold requires each party to have at least 300 candidates nationwide. Only five political parties succeeded in fulfilling this condition, including Jean-Pierre Bemba’s Mouvement de liberation du Congo (MLC) and the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS-Tshisekedi). This led to the temporary exclusion of many other political parties and groupings, sparking debates about the fairness and representativeness of the electoral process.
2. The great absentees: Kabila and Fayulu
Notable absentees from this electoral process include the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), the former party of President Joseph Kabila, as well as the Commitment for Citizenship and Development (Ecidé) of Martin Fayulu. These parties chose to boycott the current elections, claiming they were flawed and lacked transparency. Their withdrawal raises questions about the legitimacy and inclusiveness of the electoral process.
3. Call for caution from candidates
Faced with this complex situation, the CENI called on candidates for national deputies to be cautious. Before taking political actions related to their candidacy, they must check whether their party or their political grouping is indeed on the list of entities selected by the electoral commission. This speaks to the efforts made to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and avoid any subsequent confusion or challenge.
Conclusion:
The legislative elections in the DRC represent a major challenge for the political future of the country. Despite the obstacles and controversies, the electoral process is underway, with political parties and groups preparing to compete for national deputy seats. It remains to be seen how these elections will play out and how they will affect the political dynamics of the DRC. One thing is certain: the December 2023 election will be closely scrutinized, both nationally and internationally