Title: Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo: protests and irregularities with an uncertain outcome
Introduction: The presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which took place on December 20, were marked by protests and accusations of irregularities. While the partial results announce the victory of the outgoing president, Félix Tshisekedi, the opposition refuses to accept them and demands a recount and a recomposition of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). In this article, we will examine the problems encountered during the electoral process as well as the protests and possible consequences of these elections.
Irregularities and problems during the electoral process:
Voting operations in the DRC were marked by numerous irregularities and technical problems. Cases of destruction of electoral kits, delays in the delivery of voting machines, absence of CENI agents in certain offices, breakdowns of electronic devices, lack of USB keys and cables, as well as votes without electoral cards have been reported. These issues raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and cast doubt on the validity of the results.
The opposition rejects the results and calls for a recount:
Faced with these irregularities, the opposition in the DRC, led by Martin Fayulu and Moïse Katumbi, strongly contested the results published by the CENI. She denounces a sham election and massive fraud, and calls for new elections to be held with a reconstituted electoral commission. This request seems unrealistic given the current state of the electoral process. Martin Fayulu even called for a protest march on December 27, which was banned by provincial authorities.
The consequences of the protest:
The opposition’s protests and accusations of fraud risk creating a situation of political tension in the DRC. If the official results confirm Félix Tshisekedi’s victory, it could lead to protests and unrest in the country. In addition, the credibility of the electoral process and the legitimacy of the future president could be called into question, which could have consequences for the political stability of the country.
Conclusion :
The presidential elections in the DRC were marked by irregularities and protests. While the partial results announce the victory of Félix Tshisekedi, the opposition is demanding a recount and a recomposition of the electoral commission. This situation can create political instability in the country and call into question the legitimacy of the future president. It is essential that the authorities take measures to ensure the transparency of the electoral process and ease tensions in order to ensure a peaceful and democratic transition of power in the DRC.