### Postponement of the Elections of Urban Councilors and Mayors in the DRC: An Obstacle to Local Democracy
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**Fatshimetrie, June 25, 2024** – In an already delicate political context, the Electoral Observation Mission (MOE) “Regard Citoyen” expressed its deep concerns following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of postponement of elections for urban councilors, mayors and deputy mayors. This postponement, communicated on June 13, 2024, disrupts the current electoral calendar and raises crucial questions for the future of local democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
**A Disrupted Electoral Calendar**
The CENI’s announcement has a significant impact on the decentralization process, which has been boosted by the elections of municipal councilors held in December 2023, following the general elections. These ballots are essential to consolidate local democracy and promote good governance. However, the absence of a new date for these crucial elections greatly worries observers.
The institutional asymmetry created by the election of municipal councilors without the simultaneous election of mayors poses a serious problem. Indeed, this incomplete institutional configuration is a fertile ground for potential conflicts and compromises the proper functioning of local administrations. Mayors, true municipal executives, play a key role in the daily management of local affairs and their absence weakens the democratic process.
**The Financial and Organizational Challenge**
The CENI justified this postponement by a financial deficit, a factor which underlines the persistent logistical and financial challenges of organizing the polls in the DRC. This explanation highlights a broader structural issue: that of the Congolese government’s ability to plan and execute a complete electoral process without interruptions. The “Citizen’s Perspective” MOE therefore calls for resolute intervention from the government to provide the resources necessary for the elections to be held.
**Transparency Necessary for Credibility**
To regain the trust of citizens and stakeholders in the electoral process, “Regard Citoyen” urges the CENI to make public a precise operational timetable and a rearranged election calendar. Priority should be given to the rapid organization of mayoral elections in order to fill the institutional void and guarantee effective local governance. The transparency of the CENI in its operations is crucial to reassure voters and international partners of the commitment to holding credible and timely elections.
**Towards a Consolidation of Democracy**
For “Regard Citoyen”, the rooting of democracy in the DRC requires a strong anchoring at the grassroots, that is to say, through local institutions elected regularly and transparently. The goodwill of all political and institutional actors is necessary to overcome the current financial and logistical challenges. A robust local democracy is an essential pillar for stable and progressive national governance.
**Conclusion**
The postponement of the elections of urban councilors and mayors represents a setback for the decentralization process in the DRC, but it can also be an opportunity. A concerted response from the government, the CENI and civil society could not only remedy the current shortcomings but also strengthen the democratic framework for the future. The vigilance and commitment of all stakeholders are essential to transform this crisis into a step forward towards a more inclusive and dynamic democracy in the DRC.
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By Nancy Clémence Tshimueneka, for Fatshimetrie.