News: Kinshasa press review of Wednesday August 30, 2023
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is at the heart of the concerns of the Kinshasa press on Wednesday. Indeed, the CENI has called the electorate for the presidential election on September 1, as reported by several newspapers in the city.
According to the newspaper La Prospérité, the CENI confirmed in a press release that the call for candidates for the presidential election of December 2023 will be launched this Friday, September 1. In this same press release, the CENI also recalled the chronogram of the electoral operations. This reminder comes in a context of criticism and concerns about the holding of elections within the constitutional deadlines. Political actors are therefore invited to prepare actively for this election.
The daily newspaper L’Avenir specifies that the Candidatures Reception and Processing Office (BRTC) will be open from September 9 to October 8, 2023 to receive candidacies for the presidential election. The eligibility criteria are also recalled: to be of Congolese nationality of origin, to be at least thirty years old, to enjoy their civil and political rights, to have a diploma of higher education or to justify a professional experience of five years, and be an elector or register when submitting a candidacy.
However, the weekly Congo Nouveau has doubts about the holding of the presidential election on schedule. Financial and security constraints are mentioned as obstacles to the realization of this election. Some political actors and civil society are even asking for a dialogue in order to guarantee peaceful elections. Recent statements by the secretary and spokesperson of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) also go in this direction. He calls for the postponement of the elections to allow the CENI to improve its perception and to organize credible and transparent elections.
In this context, it is important to stay informed of developments in the electoral situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Do not hesitate to consult the articles mentioned for more details on this hot topic