The president of the political movement The Center, Germain Kambinga, recently reacted to the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to invalidate national and provincial deputy candidates involved in acts of fraud, corruption and intimidation during the elections. recent elections in the DRC. In a statement, Kambinga encouraged invalidated candidates to make use of available legal remedies to challenge their invalidation.
This decision by the CENI follows the publication of an interim report from its ad hoc commission responsible for investigating cases of fraud which marred the national and provincial legislative elections as well as the municipal elections of December 20, 2023. Among the 82 disabled people include prominent political figures such as the governor of the city of Kinshasa, Gentini Ngobila, the minister of tourism Didier Mazenga, the minister of vocational training Antoinette Kipulu and the president of the board of directors of the government of airways (RVA), Tryphon Kinkey Mulumba.
Germain Kambinga welcomed this decision by the CENI, affirming that it contributes to the moralization of the Congolese political space. He recalled that the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence must be respected and encouraged invalidated candidates to appeal to the competent courts and tribunals if they consider it necessary to challenge their invalidation.
This announcement from the CENI sparked strong reactions in the country. Some applaud this approach, believing that it strengthens the credibility of the electoral process and the fight against corruption. Others, however, criticize this decision, considering it a political maneuver aimed at eliminating certain opposition candidates.
In any case, this invalidation of candidates involved in wrongdoing during elections highlights the importance of integrity and transparency in the democratic process. It sends a strong message to politicians and the Congolese population: electoral fraud and corruption will not be tolerated and measures will be taken to combat them.
It now remains for invalidated candidates to decide whether they wish to use legal remedies to challenge their invalidation. Regardless, this decision by the CENI marks an important step in the consolidation of democracy in the DRC and in the fight against electoral fraud.