News from December 6, 2023: Verification of candidates and logos for the elections in the DRC
Preparations for the next elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are underway and the operation to verify and validate the names, photos and logos of candidates and political parties has started at the Election House in Kinshasa.
The objective of this operation, which takes place over two days, is to allow candidates and representatives of political parties to verify the accuracy of the information concerning them. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) therefore wishes to strengthen transparency during the combined elections which will take place on December 20.
Despite pouring rain, dozens of candidates and representatives went to the Election House to check their files. Each person is directed to an attendant who guides them through the consultation. Once verification has been carried out, the candidate or representative validates information such as the name, photo or logo of their political party.
In the event of an error, a form is immediately given to the person concerned to make the necessary corrections. Among the errors noted, there are notably misspelled names or non-compliant photos.
Political actors welcomed this initiative by the CENI, stressing the importance of ensuring that the information concerning them is correct in order to be correctly identified by voters on voting day.
However, some candidates and representatives expressed their dissatisfaction with the limited duration of this operation, regretting that it was announced at the last minute, without giving them enough time to prepare and fully concentrate on this verification.
In conclusion, verifying candidates and logos is a crucial step in preparing for elections in the DRC. This CENI initiative aims to strengthen transparency and guarantee the accuracy of information from candidates and political parties. Despite some criticism regarding the limited duration of this operation, it is essential to ensure that the data is correct in order to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.