The presidential, national and provincial legislative elections which took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on December 20 were at the heart of all attention. The Religious Confessions Observation Network (ROC) presented its report following these elections, highlighting both the positive aspects and the irregularities observed.
The ROC report highlights the deployment of more than 20,000 observers across the country to monitor the smooth running of the elections. While the vote generally took place within the constitutional deadline, irregularities were reported in some polling stations, which raised questions about the transparency of the electoral process.
ROC observers noted attempts to influence the choice of voters by certain members of polling stations and candidates’ witnesses. Additionally, candidates were even accused of corrupting voters at some polling sites. The high number of candidates’ witnesses, sometimes carrying false accreditation cards, also disrupted the voting process in certain centers.
Logistically, the report highlights the delay in the deployment of electoral equipment, particularly electronic voting kits (DEV), in many voting centers. This situation led to delays in the opening of offices and breakdowns during voting due to insufficient charging of equipment.
Concerning the organization of the vote, shortcomings were noted, in particular the absence or incomplete display of the electoral lists. Additionally, the impartial composition of polling stations was called into question. The difficult granting of accreditations to observers also encouraged potential fraud.
Despite these irregularities, the ROC nevertheless asserts that they did not affect the continuation of the other stages of the electoral process. This report highlights areas for improvement to ensure transparent and fair elections in the DRC.
It is essential to emphasize that these results are preliminary and that the real official results will only be announced after all complaints and disputes have been examined. It is therefore essential to closely monitor developments in the political situation in the DRC in the coming days.
In conclusion, the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo have raised both hope and concern. It is important that authorities and political actors take into account the observations of the ROC in order to improve the electoral process and strengthen the confidence of the Congolese people in their democratic system. The transparency and integrity of elections are essential elements to ensure the stability and development of the DRC.