Title: Revelation of the detailed results of the presidential election in the DRC: transparency and contestation
Introduction :
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plans to publish the detailed results of the 2023 presidential election. This approach aims to ensure transparency in the electoral process and provide accurate information on the results polling station by polling station. However, this announcement is accompanied by protests and the possibility for candidates to file a complaint. In this article, we examine in detail this important democratic step and its challenges.
Transparency as a key value:
Denis Kadima, president of the CENI, highlights the importance of transparency in the electoral process. In a statement, he emphasizes that inclusion is not enough to assess the quality of an electoral process. Thus, the CENI was particularly active in its communication, collaborating with political parties, presidential candidates, civil society organizations, young people, women, international partners and the media. Transparency is an essential value to guarantee the credibility of the electoral process and strengthen citizen confidence.
The key numbers :
According to information from the CENI, of the 75,478 polling stations planned, 64,196 actually opened. This means that 11,282 polling stations could not open for various reasons, without further details on their location. This situation raises questions about the fairness and inclusiveness of the process, and could be a reason for contestation for certain candidates.
The period for contesting the results:
Candidates who wish to contest the results will have the opportunity to do so during the period January 2-3. This step is crucial to guarantee respect for the rights of candidates, the transparency of the process and the legitimacy of the results. The Constitutional Court will have until January 11 to process any appeals and render its final decision.
Conclusion :
The publication of the detailed results of the presidential election in the DRC marks an important step in the country’s democratic process. Transparency is at the heart of this approach, aiming to guarantee the credibility and legitimacy of the results. However, disputed results and unopened polling stations raise questions about the fairness of the process. It remains to be hoped that the appeals will be treated impartially and that the true will of the Congolese people will be respected.