In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Regard Citoyen deployed to observe the legislative and provincial by-elections in Masi-Manimba and Yakoma. This mission, composed of various organizations committed to the transparency and integrity of electoral processes, recently published its preliminary statement, highlighting the issues and challenges encountered during these crucial elections.
In a context marked by delays and disputes, these elections finally took place, offering citizens the opportunity to participate in the democratic life of their country. Regard Citoyen, through its long-term and short-term observers, meticulously documented the conduct of the electoral campaigns, the votes and the counting, in order to guarantee impartial and professional observation.
Among the highlights noted by the observation mission are positive points but also worrying flaws. While the general climate was generally calm, irregularities were noted, such as the assistance of members of the Decentralized Polling Stations to voters unable to use the Electronic Voting Devices alone, thus violating the fundamental right to secrecy of the vote.
In addition, human rights violations were reported, particularly in Yakoma where a supervisor of Regard Citoyen observers had his phone confiscated by a police authority, allegedly for violating the secrecy of the vote. These incidents highlight the need for increased vigilance and reinforced protection of the democratic rights of all actors involved in the electoral process.
Through its commitment to promoting democratic culture in the DRC, Regard Citoyen is an essential pillar of civil society, offering an independent and objective voice in monitoring elections and defending democratic principles. In collaboration with other partner organizations, the electoral observation mission aims to raise awareness, inform and mobilize citizens, in order to strengthen confidence in the electoral system and ensure transparent and fair processes.
In conclusion, the action of Regard Citoyen during these partial elections underlines the importance of citizen monitoring to guarantee free and fair elections. As actors of democracy, it is essential that citizens are actively involved in the electoral process, ensuring compliance with democratic standards and the protection of fundamental rights. Through their commitment and vigilance, citizen observers contribute to strengthening the legitimacy and credibility of elections, and to promoting a sustainable democratic culture in the Democratic Republic of Congo.