Title: The December 2023 legislative elections in the DRC: A controversial list of candidates
Introduction :
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently published the provisional list of admissible and inadmissible candidates for the next legislative elections scheduled for December 2023. This announcement has provoked strong reactions from certain actors. politics and civil society. Indeed, the large number of inadmissible candidacies and the high percentages of alignment of certain political parties have raised questions about the representativeness and integrity of the electoral process.
The figures revealed by the CENI are alarming: out of a total of 28,791 applications received, only 23,653 were declared admissible, while 642 were deemed inadmissible. This means that 4,496 candidacies were declared non-compliant, highlighting major problems in respecting the eligibility conditions set by electoral law. Moreover, some political parties fielded high percentages of candidates, reaching as high as 99% and 95% of their leaders, which raises questions about the diversity and representativeness of candidates.
Political calculations to the detriment of the interest of the Congo and the Congolese people:
According to Maître Grâce Tshiunza Tantamika, president of the citizen movement Dynamique Impunity Zero, the high percentages of alignment of certain political parties are only the result of political calculations and in no way represent the interest of the country and its population. He points out that these political parties have been present alongside various past regimes, such as that of Mobutu, Laurent-Désiré Kabila and Joseph Kabila, without acting in the interests of Congo and the Congolese. Some of them are also accused of economic crimes, corruption and fueling insecurity in the country by maintaining links with rebel groups in the east.
Congolese youth as a credible partner of President Félix Tshisekedi:
In this context, Maître Grâce Tshiunza Tantamika believes that the President of the Republic Félix Tshisekedi can only count on Congolese youth as a credible partner for his next term. He calls on the Congolese people to sanction these political parties and their leaders during the December 2023 elections. According to him, the revolution will be inevitable and brutal if these political parties play with the popular will.
Complaints and time allowed:
The CENI has granted political parties, political groups and independent candidates 5 days to lodge complaints with the Constitutional Court. This period will make it possible to resolve any disputes and guarantee the transparency of the electoral process..
Conclusion :
The publication of the provisional list of candidates for the December 2023 legislative elections in the DRC has sparked strong reactions and controversy. The alarming figures of inadmissible candidacies and the high percentages of alignment of certain political parties raise questions about the integrity and representativeness of the electoral process. It now remains for the Constitutional Court to deal with the complaints and guarantee fair and transparent elections, allowing the Congolese people to choose their representatives in a democratic way