Title: The privatization of the electoral process in the DRC: lamuka denounces the irregularities
Introduction :
The Coordination of Electoral Operations of the Lamuka Coalition (COEL) recently expressed its regret at what it considers to be a privatization of the electoral process by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). According to COEL, the CENI, led by Dénis Kadima, ignored the wishes and recommendations issued by Lamuka, the CENCO (National Episcopal Conference of Congo) and the ECC (Church of Christ in Congo) aimed at improving the integrity of the electoral process.
Questionable practices:
The COEL highlights several questionable practices of the CENI, such as the receipt of irregular lists, the extension after the deadline of the registration of voters, the deletion of certain electoral constituencies during local elections and the refusal of the citizen audit proposed by the CENCO-ECC electoral observation mission. These practices call into question the integrity of the electoral process and fuel doubts about the inclusion of all voters in the electoral register.
Enlistment or new enlistment?
COEL also raises the question of the real number of voters present in the electoral register. The operation to grant duplicates of voter cards, announced by the CENI, has transformed into a sort of new enrollment, with many applicants for duplicates not finding their names in the system and having to fill out new forms to get new cards. These technical problems and recurring breakdowns of registration machines compromise the reliability of the electoral file.
Accusations made by Martin Fayulu:
Martin Fayulu, candidate in the last presidential election, supports the accusations of the COEL by affirming that the operation of granting duplicates of voter cards is akin to a new registration of voters. He also criticizes the poor quality of voter cards and denounces the privatization of the electoral process for the benefit of the current president, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, and his political alliance, the Sacred Union.
Conclusion :
The current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the challenges faced by political actors struggling to ensure free and fair elections. Allegations of privatization of the electoral process by the CENI raise concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections. It is essential that reforms are put in place to ensure a transparent and inclusive electoral process, allowing all Congolese citizens to participate fully in the democratic life of their country.