Anticipation heightens in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the nation eagerly awaits the proclamation of the national and provincial legislative election results. The Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) encountered an unforeseen setback when the initial deadline of January 3rd for result publication had to be deferred, sparking speculation and scrutiny.
Tensions mounted within the Céni as the 15-member plenary engrossed themselves in meticulous deliberations, deliberating over multifaceted issues contributing to the delay. The arduous compilation of results for legislative and municipal elections, incorporating the scrutiny of ballots, initially caused a backlog.
Compounding this, the Céni delved into cases of electoral malpractice, including fraud, corruption, and vote tampering, resulting in the disqualification of 82 candidates and the annulment of ballots in two key towns.
The ensuing procedural complexity has further extended the timeline for result release, with the Céni meticulously addressing reported irregularities and assessing appeals filed by the affected candidates. Legal recourse has been pursued, elevating the impasse to the Council of State, which is poised to adjudicate on the matter and provide a resolution.
Amidst these challenges, the Céni remains resolute in its commitment to transparency, contemplating the stepwise release of results by constituency where electoral integrity remains uncompromised. Furthermore, the executive secretariat of the Céni has transmitted the list of political entities meeting the 1% vote threshold to its president, auguring crucial implications for the composition of the National Assembly.