The president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Dénis Kadima Kazadi, recently reacted to criticism and accusations concerning the incidents and irregularities that took place during the vote. In an interview with local media, he stressed that political actors also have some responsibility for these controversial events.
Dénis Kadima said the voting machines were spectacularly damaged in front of everyone, making it impossible to recover the data. In addition, CENI agents were prosecuted, which complicated their work on the ground. According to him, it is not the members of the CENI who are responsible for these acts of sabotage, but rather the politicians who are behind these actions.
He also mentioned the difficulties encountered by CENI agents in returning to their offices after the vote, due to the attacks to which they were victims. Depending on the findings of ongoing investigations, some results could even be canceled if they are found to be non-compliant with tests carried out on voting machines.
The current electoral process in the DRC is strongly criticized by the opposition, which denounces irregularities and failures during the vote. The results published by the CENI, giving a lead to Félix Tshisekedi, are disputed. An opposition demonstration is also planned for Wednesday, December 27.
It is clear that the electoral process in the DRC is marred by controversy and irregularities. It is essential that thorough investigations are carried out to determine the veracity of the accusations and ensure the transparency and integrity of the elections. The results must be based on reliable data and it is important that political actors take responsibility in this process.
The opposition has an essential role to play in guaranteeing true democracy in the DRC. It is crucial that the voices of the opposition are heard and that citizens’ concerns are taken into account. The demonstration planned for Wednesday, December 27 is an opportunity for the opposition to make its voice heard and demand electoral reforms for the future.
In conclusion, it is clear that elections in the DRC face many challenges. It is the duty of all political actors and civil society to work together to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. Respecting the will of the Congolese people is crucial for the democratic future of the country.