Title: Postponement of the publication of the provisional results of the elections in the DRC: the technical challenges of the Ceni
Introduction :
The Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced the postponement of the publication of the provisional results of the elections of national and provincial deputies, initially scheduled for January 3, 2024. Due to the technical challenges encountered during compilation of the results, the CENI decided to take the necessary time to guarantee the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
An ambitious electoral process:
The DRC organized a major parliamentary and presidential election with a large number of candidates. In fact, there are approximately 25,000 candidates for the elections of national deputies, 32,000 for the provincial elections and 49,000 for the municipal elections. This plethora of candidates complicated the task of the CENI which must decide between each vote and determine the parties having reached the electoral threshold required at the national and provincial level.
The technical challenges of the Céni:
Faced with this immense quantity of data to process, the Céni had to face technical challenges. Compiling the results requires careful work to ensure the validity of each vote and allocate seats fairly. The CENI must also confront suspicions of fraud and denunciations that were made during the electoral process. These cases must be investigated thoroughly to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
An expected decision:
The postponement of the publication of the provisional results does not surprise the Congolese government, which supports the Ceni’s decision. Patrick Muyaya, government spokesperson, stressed that it is important to take the necessary time to process the various observations and accusations of fraud. He also noted that these results will not have any impact on the election of the president, which is already being compiled.
Conclusion :
The postponement of the publication of the provisional results of the elections in the DRC is a necessary decision to guarantee the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. The Ceni must face technical challenges linked to the compilation of countless votes and the resolution of suspected fraud. The government supports this decision and hopes that the results will be published as soon as possible. Congolese citizens are impatiently awaiting the final results of these crucial elections for the future of the country.