Title: The synergy of citizen election observation missions welcomes the CENI’s decision to cancel the votes of disputed candidates in the DRC
Introduction :
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing political turbulence following the legislative elections on December 20. In this turbulent context, the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) took the decision to cancel the votes of 82 candidates due to massive fraud. This resolution was welcomed by the Synergy of Citizen Election Observation Missions (Symocel), which calls for continued investigations to unmask all those responsible for these fraudulent practices. In this article, we will examine the significance of this decision, its implications for election results, and possible remedies for affected candidates.
Symocel’s support for the Céni’s decision:
Symocel, an organization engaged in citizen observation of elections in the DRC, welcomed the Ceni’s decision to cancel the votes of candidates involved in massive fraud. According to Luc Lutala, coordinator of Symocel, this resolution demonstrates the Céni’s desire to resolve the problems linked to the electoral process. However, he stresses the importance of continuing investigations to identify all those who participated in the fraudulent practices and of disclosing the true extent of the problem, particularly in terms of hijacking of voting machines.
The impact on the provisional results of the presidential election:
Luc Lutala believes that the fraud committed during the legislative elections could have an impact on the provisional results of the presidential election already announced by the Ceni. This situation raises questions about the legitimacy of the results and highlights the need for thorough investigations to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Possible recourses for the candidates concerned:
Candidates whose votes have been canceled have several options to challenge this decision. They can file a free appeal with the Céni to request a review of the decision. They also have the possibility of contacting the administrative judge, in this case the Council of State, to request the annulment of the decision. Finally, once the provisional results are published by the Ceni, they will be able to bring their case before the electoral judge, namely the constitutional court, for the national legislative elections.
Conclusion :
The decision of the Ceni to cancel the votes of the disputed candidates during the legislative elections in the DRC was welcomed by Symocel. However, investigations still need to be carried out to identify all those responsible for the fraud and determine the true extent of the problem.. This situation raises questions about the provisional results of the presidential election and highlights the importance of guaranteeing the integrity of the electoral process. The candidates concerned have the possibility of contesting the decision by filing appeals with the Céni or by contacting the administrative judge. This case highlights the importance of total transparency in elections in order to preserve democracy in the DRC.