Presidential elections are fast approaching in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but candidate Marie-Josée Ifoku is skeptical about the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to organize the vote on time. In a recent interview with Top Congo, she described the CENI as “incompetent” and called for a postponement of the elections.
According to Marie-Josée Ifoku, the CENI is not ready due to delays in the deployment of electoral materials. She stressed that, nine days before the elections, the CENI is still waiting for planes to transport electoral kits to difficult-to-access areas. This situation, according to her, makes it impossible to organize elections within constitutional deadlines.
Faced with this observation, Marie-Josée Ifoku proposes a three-year transition without sharing of power, in order to prepare transparent, inclusive and credible elections in 2026. She believes that such a transitional period would make it possible to resolve logistical problems and guarantee an impeccable electoral process.
The candidate also highlights the need to develop a new constitution approved by referendum during this transition period. According to her, this would make it possible to break with the current system of predation and lay the foundations for a new, more just and egalitarian political system.
Marie-Josée Ifoku insists that a postponement of the elections is essential to avoid any escalation of violence or ethnic division. She is convinced that taking the time to prepare transparent and credible elections is essential to ensure the political and social stability of the country.
In conclusion, Marie-Josée Ifoku, presidential candidate in the Democratic Republic of Congo, questions the capacity of the CENI to organize the elections within constitutional deadlines. She proposes a postponement of the elections and a three-year transition in order to prepare transparent and credible elections in 2026. According to her, this transition period would also make it possible to put in place a new constitution approved by referendum, thus breaking with the system of predation current. From the candidate’s point of view, taking the time to properly prepare for the elections is essential to ensure the stability of the country.