Invalidation of candidacies for legislative elections in the DRC: strong reactions and call for the fraudsters to resign
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken a radical decision by invalidating 82 candidacies in the national and provincial legislative elections, as well as candidacies for municipal councilor positions. These invalidations are the result of offenses committed during the proper functioning of polling stations. Among the candidates concerned, there are notably 3 ministers in office, 6 senators, 3 deputies, 5 provincial governors and 2 public officials.
This decision by the CENI did not fail to provoke strong reactions within Congolese civil society. The Acting for Transparent and Peaceful Elections (AETA) platform called for justice to take charge of these cases. For AETA, it is essential that all those who have been found guilty of electoral fraud are sanctioned, whether they are on the side of the corrupters or the corrupted. Roland Mumbala, Executive Secretary of AETA, also stressed the need for relevant ministers and governors to resign from their positions in order to preserve the integrity of public institutions.
AETA’s campaign ahead of the elections, focusing on electoral integrity, justice, transparency and peace in the electoral process, highlights the importance of using legal means to challenge electoral results when necessary. AETA considers that the CENI’s decision is a first step, but that justice must deepen the investigations and sanction all those responsible involved in these reprehensible acts.
It should be noted that the publication of the results of the legislative and municipal elections, initially scheduled for January 3, 2024, was delayed due to the compilation of the results. The CENI has not yet set a new date for the publication of the results.
This invalidation of candidates for legislative elections in the DRC highlights the importance of transparency and integrity in the electoral process. It also demonstrates the desire of Congolese civil society to fight against electoral fraud and to uphold democratic principles. It now remains to be seen how the courts will handle these cases and whether additional measures will be taken to guarantee fair and equitable elections in the DRC.
Sources:
– [Article 1](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2024/01/07/invalidation-des-candidatures-aux-elections-legislatives-en-rdc-reactions-vives-et-appel-a-la- resignation-of-fraudsters/)
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