The challenges and electoral issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to generate intense debate. On Monday, July 3, Adolphe Muzito, president of the “Nouvel élan” party, met with Denis Kadima Kazadi, president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Ceni), to discuss these crucial issues. At the heart of the exchanges was the problem of the incompleteness of the electoral register, which excludes the territories of Rutshuru, Masisi and Kwamouth.
Muzito stressed the importance of the participation of these territories in the electoral process, saying that he and his party would not participate in the elections without their inclusion. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the current composition of the Ceni, which he believes does not represent all the political forces. According to him, the Ceni should be made up of representatives of civil society and various stakeholders, in order to avoid any politicization of the institution.
Another point raised by Muzito is respecting the constitutional deadline for holding elections. He encouraged the government to disburse the necessary funds to finance the electoral operations, in particular from the 500 million US dollars coming from the budget support of the International Monetary Fund. With five and a half months left before the elections, Muzito expresses doubts about the ability to meet this deadline due to financial constraints.
However, it is important to note that the question of the inclusion of excluded parties in the electoral process is, according to the Ceni, a competence that does not fall directly to it. This implies that a resolution of this problem will require the collaboration of different authorities and political actors.
These discussions between Adolphe Muzito and Denis Kadima highlight the challenges and tensions surrounding the electoral process in the DRC. It is crucial that all stakeholders work collaboratively and transparently to ensure credible and inclusive elections that reflect the democratic aspirations and choices of the Congolese people.