General elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo are now scheduled for December 20, 2023, and the official election campaign will begin in a month, on November 19. However, some candidates have already started pre-election campaigning, which has sparked criticism and disagreement.
La Tempête des Tropiques deplores this electoral pre-campaign and describes it as cheating. The Superior Audiovisual and Communication Council (CSAC) even took measures against the media participating in this early campaign. It is therefore essential to respect electoral rules and demonstrate transparency.
However, another obstacle looms on the horizon. Congo Airways, the national airline, is experiencing aircraft availability problems. If this situation does not change, many candidates may have difficulty traveling to remote areas of the country, which could compromise electoral participation.
In another register, La Prospérité publishes a typology of candidates and their potential for electoral victory. According to Hubert Kabasu Babu Katulondi, writer and president of Agir New Congo, many candidates have published “electoral programs” which do not correspond to standards and which have unrealistic budgets. He underlines the need to reinvent the electoral system by freeing the DR Congo from regressive artisanal electoralism.
The Minister of the Interior, Peter Kazadi, assures that measures are being taken to strengthen security in the regions of Rutshuru, Masisi and Kwamouth, in order to allow the electoral process to continue. Police units must be deployed in these territories previously occupied by negative forces.
Finally, according to L’Avenir, the mission of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council in the DRC gave a positive note regarding the political and security environment of the country, with a view to the holding of free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful. This mission also assessed the legal and constitutional framework governing the presidential, legislative and municipal councilor elections scheduled for December 20, 2023.
In summary, the general elections in the DRC are getting closer, with the official start of the electoral campaign in a month. However, problems such as the early electoral pre-campaign, mobility difficulties for candidates and security issues arise. It is essential to respect electoral rules and put in place measures to ensure transparency and security during this electoral process which is crucial for the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo.