Title: Training of electoral witnesses in the DRC: a strategy to support the renewal of the mandate of President Tshisekedi
Introduction :
As part of the preparations for the elections scheduled for December 2023 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a training workshop for electoral witnesses was recently held in Kinshasa. Organized by the Political and Social Forces Allied to the UDPS/Tshisekedi (FPAU), this event aimed to put in place a system aimed at supporting the renewal of the mandate of President Félix Tshisekedi. In this article, we will explore in detail this training and its importance in the electoral process in the DRC.
Strengthening electoral surveillance:
During this training workshop, participants were equipped with the necessary skills to monitor votes at polling station level in favor of President Tshisekedi, as well as national and provincial deputies aligned by the FPAU. This measure aims to guarantee a transparent and democratic conduct of elections, by ensuring adequate monitoring of votes.
The importance of professionalizing electoral observation:
The political and social forces allied to the UDPS/Tshisekedi have opted for the professionalization of electoral observation in order to ensure the impartiality and effectiveness of the process. Witnesses were trained to fully understand their role and responsibilities within polling stations, in compliance with electoral rules and standards. Experts specializing in electoral issues were invited to provide this quality training.
A nationwide deployment:
The beneficiaries of this training will be deployed in all provinces of the DRC in order to in turn train electoral witnesses. The desire is to cover the entire territory to ensure effective monitoring of elections. Local trainers will play a vital role in imparting the knowledge and skills needed for election monitoring.
A political workshop to support President Tshisekedi:
It is important to emphasize that this training workshop is a political activity, organized following the designation of President Tshisekedi as sole candidate during an FPAU conclave. The goal is to renew his mandate to the supreme office. By training these electoral witnesses, the FPAU are implementing a strategy aimed at consolidating the presence of the President and his allies on the ground during the elections.
Conclusion :
The training of electoral witnesses in the DRC, orchestrated by the political and social forces allied to the UDPS/Tshisekedi, plays a crucial role in the electoral process with a view to renewing the mandate of President Félix Tshisekedi. By professionalizing election observation and deploying witnesses across the country, this initiative helps ensure the transparency and legitimacy of elections. Citizen participation in electoral monitoring strengthens democracy and promotes more representative governance in the DRC.