The crucial role of election observers during electoral processes is undeniable. These key actors ensure the transparency and legitimacy of elections by monitoring the conduct of the polls and ensuring compliance with democratic rules. In the context of the national and provincial legislative elections that recently took place in Masimanimba and Yakoma, the Electoral Observation Mission (MOE) “Regard citoyen” played a key role in monitoring the electoral process.
The report of the MOE Regard citoyen is edifying. Despite efforts made to allow observers access to all polling stations, some dysfunctions were noted. Indeed, the absence of certain voters on the electoral lists led to refusals of entry in a significant percentage of cases. Similarly, the verification of voters’ names before the delivery of ballot papers presented gaps in some polling stations, thus compromising the right to vote of several citizens.
It is concerning to note that voters holding legible electoral cards were prevented from voting due to the absence of their names on the electoral lists. In addition, incidents related to duplicate voter cards and errors in the legibility of the cards also hampered the conduct of the vote. These irregularities highlight the importance of regularly updating the electoral lists and rigorously organizing electoral operations.
Furthermore, the MOE Regard citoyen noted technical malfunctions in some polling stations, such as interruptions related to electronic voting devices. These incidents may have affected the smooth conduct of the vote and raised questions about the reliability of the electronic voting systems put in place.
Despite these challenges, the MOE Regard citoyen highlighted positive aspects, such as the systematic recording of witness complaints in the minutes by the presidents of the polling stations. This practice helps to ensure the transparency of the electoral process and prevent potential disputes.
In conclusion, the observations of the MOE Regard citoyen highlight the need to improve the mechanisms for verifying electoral lists, to strengthen the training of actors involved in electoral operations and to ensure the reliability of the technological devices used. The integrity of elections is based on collaboration between the different stakeholders and the commitment to transparent and democratic processes.