In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a significant milestone in the realization of the electoral calendar was achieved on September 1st. The electoral body for the presidential election scheduled for December 20th has now been officially summoned.
With optimism, Denis Kadima, the president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni), addressed the gathering during the convocation of the electoral body on Friday.
He reflected on the Commission’s work, stating, “We aspire to be a model of electoral management, both with humility and determination.”
The next step in this process is the submission of presidential candidacy applications. The office responsible for registration is set to open on September 9th, located at the heart of the Congolese capital in the very premises of the Céni. Candidates will have until October 8th to complete their application files.
This new phase unfolds amidst ongoing controversies surrounding the electoral process, with opposition parties and civil society expressing concerns. Tensions persist, particularly regarding the electoral register, with several stakeholders demanding a fresh audit.
Opposition figure Martin Fayulu has made this a precondition for any candidate’s submission for the upcoming elections scheduled for the year-end. These elections are already marked by the boycott of former President Joseph Kabila’s camp.
According to the Céni’s timeline, the electoral campaign for both the presidential and national and provincial parliamentary elections will commence on November 19th.