The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo has decided to extend by five days the period for submitting applications for provincial deputies and for the election of municipal councillors. This decision was made to address the logistical challenges faced by stakeholders and to ensure the inclusiveness of the electoral process.
The extension of this period for submitting applications will allow the offices of reception and processing of applications which have not yet registered applications to do so. In addition, it is a matter of ensuring fair treatment between all competitors. Thus, independent candidates, political parties and political groups who have already paid their deposit for the municipalities not concerned will be able to have their candidacy taken into account during the election of municipal councilors in 2024 in the remaining municipalities.
The CENI has also announced that the period for adding and removing the association of records will run from August 22 to September 1, 2020. This will allow candidates to modify or withdraw their application if necessary.
This CENI decision aims to guarantee the transparency and integrity of the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It reflects the organization’s commitment to ensuring free and fair elections, where all candidates have an equal opportunity to run and where the rights of all citizens are respected.
The election of provincial deputies and municipal councilors is an important step in the democratic development of the country. These representatives will play a key role in decision-making at the local level, which will have a direct impact on the lives of Congolese citizens. The extension of the nomination period will therefore ensure the participation of all those who wish to stand and strengthen the legitimacy of these elections.
In conclusion, the decision of the CENI to extend the period for submitting candidacies demonstrates its commitment to ensuring inclusive and fair elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will allow all candidates, whether independent or affiliated with a political party, to participate in the electoral process and give Congolese citizens the opportunity to choose their representatives in a democratic way