The draft law on the distribution of seats by constituency for legislative, provincial, municipal and local elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo is causing controversy. Indeed, the senators members of the Front Commun pour le Congo (FCC) recently decided to boycott the examination of this text at the People’s Palace, because of doubts about the reliability of the electoral process. According to these elected officials, the identification and enrollment of voters were poorly organized and biased to favor the political camp of the current head of state Felix Tshisekedi.
In a statement read by Francine Muyumba, the FCC senators recalled their demands for participation in the electoral process in the DRC: “The Common Front for Congo reaffirms its position repeatedly expressed to participate in the elections within the constitutional deadline to condition of having a consensual CENI comprising within it delegates duly appointed by their components, a non-subordinate Constitutional Court whose members are appointed in accordance with the constitution, the laws in the matter, an electoral law guaranteeing transparency and equality chances to all competitors”.
The Senate therefore has three days to examine and adopt this bill before its promulgation by the Head of State no later than June 15. This new law would allow the Independent National Electoral Commission to convene the electorate for the national legislative elections from June 25, 2023.
This situation only reflects the political divisions in the country and the tensions that remain around the electoral process. This is also witnessed by the opposition rejecting the bill already adopted at first reading in the National Assembly because of an electoral process which it considers biased.
It is therefore urgent to take measures to guarantee a transparent and inclusive electoral process in order to preserve democracy and avoid chaotic and fraudulent elections. The FCC and the opposition must work together to overcome their differences and find a consensus, in the interest of the Congolese nation