News: Postponement of candidacies for the provincial and municipal elections in the DRC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced the postponement of the closing of the operations for submitting candidacies for the elections of provincial deputies and municipal councillors. Originally scheduled for August 23, 2023, this date has been pushed back to August 27, 2023, giving potential applicants an additional five days.
This postponement, announced through press release n°044/CENI/2023 of August 22, 2023, was decided in order to take into account the concerns of the various stakeholders in the electoral process and to guarantee greater inclusiveness. The CENI, concerned about transparency and fairness in these elections, showed flexibility in granting this additional time.
This decision to postpone the filing of candidacies testifies to the importance given to the participation of all political actors in the democratic process of the DRC. By allowing potential candidates more time to gather the necessary documents and finalize their applications, the CENI thus contributes to creating conditions conducive to more inclusive and representative elections.
It is also important to emphasize that this postponement of the filing of candidacies does not call into question the holding of the elections on schedule. Voters will thus be able to exercise their right to vote and choose their provincial and municipal representatives according to the fixed electoral calendar.
In conclusion, this postponement of the filing of candidacies for the provincial and municipal elections in the DRC demonstrates the commitment of the CENI to a transparent, fair and inclusive electoral process. By granting additional time to potential candidates, the commission aims to facilitate the participation of all political actors and to guarantee democratic and representative elections. Voters can thus have confidence in the conduct of these elections and in the possibility of choosing their representatives in a democratic manner