Duplicate voter cards: a crucial issue for the elections in the DRC
As part of the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Governance Observatory conducted an investigation into the production of duplicate voter cards by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). The results of this survey reveal that more than 90% of the 10,000 people surveyed said they had a problem requiring a duplicate request.
The reasons for these requests for duplicates are varied. Some people have lost their voting card through their own fault, while others have cards whose writings and photos are erased. This situation generates a significant enthusiasm for requesting duplicates, which leads to considerable waiting times and the discouragement of many voters.
The Governance Observatory warns of the risks that such a situation could cause during the elections. Indeed, there is a fear that voters will show up at polling stations with illegible cards, which could lead to disorder and compromise the smooth running of the vote.
To avoid these potential problems, the Governance Observatory suggests that the CENI anticipate possible disorders by reprinting voter cards for all new registrations from 2023. Voters would then be invited to collect their new cards in the places where they were initially enlisted. This approach, although potentially entailing additional financial costs, would make it possible to reduce the disorder and current enthusiasm in the CENI branches.
It is essential that the CENI takes these recommendations into account in order to guarantee a transparent and inclusive electoral process. The stakes are high, and it is essential to ensure that every citizen can exercise their right to vote in optimal conditions. The time has therefore come for the competent authorities to take concrete measures to resolve this problem and guarantee democratic and reliable elections in the DRC.