Title: Moïse Katumbi’s presidential quest disrupted by administrative formalities
Introduction :
Moïse Katumbi’s candidacy for the presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has encountered an unexpected hitch. Indeed, when submitting its candidacy file to the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), Katumbi’s team presented itself with photocopies of the required documents, instead of the originals requested by the CENI. This discrepancy resulted in the postponement of the examination of his application. In this article, we will return to this situation and its impact on the presidential race in the DRC.
The photocopy dilemma:
According to those close to Moïse Katumbi, two essential pieces of the file were missing: the criminal record extract and the nationality certificate. Katumbi’s team submitted certified copies of these documents, but CENI insisted on the need for originals to validate the application. This requirement has raised questions about the relevance of this administrative formality and its legal consequences.
The reaction from the Katumbi camp:
Faced with this situation, Moïse Katumbi’s camp promised to return the next day with the complete file, including the originals of the missing documents. Hervé Diakese, spokesperson for the former governor, declared that this request posed no problem and that it should not be made into a controversy. He stressed that it was a simple administrative formality to complete.
A procedure in accordance with electoral legislation:
It is important to note that this procedure complies with the electoral legislation in force in the DRC. The CENI treats all applications in the same way and requires the submission of originals of the required documents. This measure aims to guarantee the authenticity of the information provided by candidates and to prevent possible fraud.
Impact on the presidential race:
This episode raises questions about the organization and preparation of candidates for the elections. It also highlights the importance of following established administrative procedures. For Moïse Katumbi, delaying the submission of his candidacy file could have consequences on his electoral campaign. It also gives his political rivals the opportunity to capitalize on this situation and strengthen their position in the presidential race.
Conclusion :
Moïse Katumbi’s candidacy for the presidential election in the DRC was temporarily disrupted due to a dispute over administrative formalities. The submission of photocopies instead of the required originals resulted in a postponement of the examination of his application by the CENI. This incident highlights the importance of respecting established electoral procedures and raises questions about the organization of candidates for this crucial vote. The resolution of this conflict will make it possible to clarify the conditions for participation in the presidential election and to continue democratic competition in the country.