The political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains tense with the confirmation of the refusal of the deputies of the Common Front for Congo (FCC), to participate in the elections within the constitutional deadline. In a joint declaration, published on Monday, May 29, the deputies reaffirmed their position which consists in demanding a management team of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) consensual and comprising within it delegates duly appointed by their components. In addition, there must be a Constitutional Court that they deem not subservient and an inclusive electoral law guaranteeing transparency and equal opportunities for all competitors.
Several reasons have been put forward to justify their refusal to participate in the elections. The deputies indicated that the registration of voters was a fraudulent process, with a lack of professionalism and transparency, as well as a glaring absence of a credible external audit. Electoral mapping and the distribution of enrollment kits were carried out without taking into account the demography and area of electoral constituencies, leading to an increase in the number of seats from underpopulated constituencies. In addition, the enrollment of minors and the fraudulent distribution of several voter cards have been observed.
All these elements reveal, according to the FCC deputies, the unreliable and unfair nature of the electoral process, predicting chaotic and fraudulent elections that will have serious consequences for democracy and the Republic.
In their statement, MEPs warn against the dramatic and incalculable consequences that elections organized under these conditions could have, and hold the power in place responsible. They have therefore decided not to accompany the dictatorship of Mr. Tshisekedi and not to participate in the examination and vote of an already biased and corrupt bill, which would play into the electoral hold-up they denounce.
A tense political situation therefore persists in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while the whole country awaits fair and transparent elections. Nevertheless, FCC MPs remain determined to defend the idea of a truly inclusive election, guaranteeing equal opportunities for all candidates. The sequence of events therefore remains uncertain.