The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is still awaiting the results of the partial legislative, provincial and municipal elections which were held simultaneously with the presidential election, starting on December 20. The presidential election saw, according to still provisional figures, the victory of the outgoing president, Félix Thisekedi, with more than 73% of the votes.
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With our special correspondent in Kinshasa, Paulina Zidi
The ballots were allegedly marred by irregularities, according to several observation missions which had notably asked the Electoral Commission to act. During the night from Friday to Saturday January 6, the Ceni announced a series of measures including two important decisions.
On the one hand, the total cancellation of the ballots for national and provincial deputations in two constituencies: Masi-manimba, in Kwilu, and Yakoma, in North Ubangi. We will therefore have to redo these elections in these areas.
Another important decision: the cancellation of the votes obtained by 82 candidates in the legislative, provincial, but also partial municipal elections. This time the vote is not canceled, but the results will not take into account the votes of the sanctioned candidates. Reasons put forward by the Commission: incitement to violence and especially fraud, possession of electoral materials, mainly voting machines.
Another important decision, that of the cancellation of the votes obtained by 82 candidates in the legislative, provincial but also partial municipal elections. This time, the vote is not canceled but the results will not take into account the votes of the sanctioned candidates. Reasons put forward by the Commission: incitement to violence and above all fraud and possession of electoral materials, largely voting machines.
Persons concerned
This decision concerns candidates present in 36 of the 182 electoral districts, 17 provinces out of the 26 in the country. Leading political figures appear in this list, namely three ministers in office including that of Tourism and that of Professional Training, four governors including that of Kinshasa, but also administrators of public companies, senators and other elected officials .
Around thirty parties or political groups are affected by these cancellations, with a large majority of candidates from the Sacred Union, the ruling coalition, including 12 from the UDPS, the presidential party.
First reactions
Several concerned candidates spoke out on social networks. Some of them have announced their wish to take the case to court. On the other hand, few political groups concerned have already made declarations. The UNC of Deputy Prime Minister Vital Kamerhe, which sees three of its members removed, says it takes note of this decision.
On the side of the opposition parties, we believe that these sanctions go in their direction, but that it should not be limited to local elections, that this also calls into question the credibility of the presidential election. Finally for civil society, the Congolese Association for Justice, ACAJ, welcomed “ a courageous decision by the Ceni » describing this list of candidates as “ list of shame “.
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