Election of municipal councilors in the DRC: the CENI announces important changes
In its drive to ensure inclusiveness and fairness in elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recently taken significant steps. In an official statement published on August 22, 2023, the CENI announced adjustments to its electoral calendar, in particular concerning the election of municipal councillors.
The CENI has decided to extend the period for submitting candidacies for provincial deputies, thus allowing all stakeholders to have sufficient time to prepare their participation in the elections.
In addition, in the context of the elections of municipal councillors, the CENI took into account conflicts related to customary power and administrative demarcation in certain territorial entities. Following correspondence from the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Security and Customary Affairs, the CENI decided to postpone the election of municipal councilors in these territorial entities.
Thus, the election of municipal councilors will only be held in the provincial capitals on December 20, 2023, according to decision n°076/CENI/AP/2022 of the CENI. The other municipalities will be affected by a subsequent election, scheduled for 2024. The CENI assures independent candidates, political parties and groups who have already paid their deposit for the municipalities not concerned that it will be taken into account in the subsequent election.
These adjustments to the electoral calendar demonstrate the CENI’s commitment to ensuring transparent, inclusive and fair elections in the DRC. This decision makes it possible to address the specific problems related to customary power and administrative delimitation, in order to guarantee an equitable participation of all stakeholders.
It is important to point out that the CENI will soon publish a revamped calendar detailing the precise dates of the elections in the various communes. This will allow the candidates concerned to prepare adequately and submit their applications within the given deadlines.
In conclusion, the CENI’s recent announcement regarding the election of municipal councilors in the DRC demonstrates its commitment to democratic and fair elections. These adjustments to the electoral calendar will allow all political actors and stakeholders to participate equitably, and ensure that the specificities of customary power and administrative demarcation are taken into account