Title: The stakes of the legislative election in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Introduction :
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the legislative election is a major event that arouses the interest and attention of the whole nation. This year, the electoral machine is already in motion, with the voter identification operation and the publication of the electoral register. The Independent National Electoral Commission has made public the lists of candidates selected for the national legislative elections on 20th December next. Despite some notable absences, the candidates are preparing for fierce competition to win one of the 500 seats in the lower house of the DRC parliament.
Abundant applications:
This year, just over 24,000 candidates were selected for the national legislative elections in the DRC, a significant increase compared to previous elections. The various electoral constituencies of the capital Kinshasa, in particular the district of Lukunga, have seen the emergence of numerous candidates. Whether they are “perennial” political candidates trying to hold on to their seats or new faces on the political scene, they are all vying for the trust of voters.
The presence of the ministers in contention:
A particularity of this legislative election is the presence of certain members of the central government who are also candidates. Among them, we find the current Minister of Mines N’samba Kalambayi Antoinette and the Minister of Sports and Leisure Kabulo Mwana Kabulo François Claude. Their dual commitment raises questions about their ability to reconcile their ministerial functions and their parliamentary mandate, but also illustrates the political importance of this election.
Activists getting into politics:
Another novelty of this election is the involvement of certain civil society actors who have decided to engage in active politics. Among them, there are renowned lawyers like Hervé Diakiese Kyungu or activists from the citizens’ movement “LUCHA” like Gloria Senga. Their desire to change things through political engagement testifies to an aspiration for change and a desire to participate actively in the democratic construction of the country.
The struggle for representativeness:
The legislative election in the DRC is a major challenge for representativeness and political diversity. Several candidates who ran in the 2018 presidential election, such as Martin Fayulu or Mokia Mandembo Gabriel, are once again in the running to win a seat in the national assembly. While some seek to retain their already won seats, others hope to be able to make their voices heard and defend the interests of their constituents..
Conclusion :
The legislative election in the Democratic Republic of Congo is generating real political excitement and offering candidates an opportunity to actively participate in the democratic construction of the country. Between the eternal candidates, the ministers in the running, the committed activists and the new figures of Congolese politics, the competition promises to be intense. Representativeness and political diversity are at the heart of the stakes of this election, which plays an essential role in the development of the country