DRC Extends Election Period Over Voting Challenges 

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has extended the voting period for another day following delayed delivery of voting materials and malfunctioning of voting kits yesterday. 

 “The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) notes the delay recorded in the deployment of certain electoral materials and equipment which, consequently, caused the late opening of some Polling and Counting Stations (BVD),” said CENI in a statement on Thursday morning.

“The CENI reassures the public in general and voters in particular that all measures are taken to ensure that voting operations continue without interruption until the last voter in the lines.”

Opposition leaders including Moise Katumbi and Martin Fayulu have rejected plans to extend the voting period, saying it was illegal. 

In a press conference yesterday, the opposition deplored the poor management of the electoral process by CENI, saying millions of voters were not able to cast their ballots. 

However, CENI said, “in exceptional cases where the Voting and Counting Stations have not been open at all, the CENI schedules the opening of said BVDs for the day of Thursday, December 21, 2023, from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., local times.”

The electoral body defended its decision to extend the voting period, saying this was in line with the “principle of equal rights which all citizens should enjoy without discrimination.” 

CENI further said the BVDs which were open and operational on December 20, 2023 would not be affected by the new guidelines. 

“Consequently, voters assigned to these offices will not be allowed to participate in the exceptional vote of December 21, 2023.”

This year, more than 40 million voters in DRC and the diaspora were expected to vote to fill 1,511 seats from a selection of more than 100,000 candidates. 

Observers say the 2023 general elections are an opportunity for the DRC to test the stability of its democratic processes.

The election comes against the backdrop of a bloody conflict in North Kivu where government forces have been battling M23 rebels.

Voting started at around 7:30 am on Wednesday.

In North Kivu, especially Goma, there were cases of voters’ names missing on the register and delays in installing voting kits. Some voting areas did not open for business.

The situation remains generally peaceful.

Observers 

Officials yesterday said over 25,000 observers would monitor the election. 

Congo, which recently joined the East African Community (EAC), blocked the bloc’s Election Observers without giving a reason.

Congo’s electoral commission said it had recorded over 3,000 attempted hacks of its servers. 

“There are criminals trying to enter our system, we have repelled them,” said the electoral body chief,  Denis Kadima on Tuesday, adding, “We have strengthened the security of the system.” 

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi is expected to win today’s election, according to a new poll.

“Among those with a strong intention to vote in the upcoming elections, 55% are both willing to support a second term for President Felix Tshisekedi and see no alternative candidate deserving of their vote,” said the GeoPoll Socio-Political Barometer on Tuesday night.

According to the poll, “most Congolese people are thoroughly dissatisfied with the state of the country, with unemployment, insecurity, infrastructure and food prices the most mentioned challenges.”

However, the poll showed, “Perceptions have not, however, deteriorated further in the past year – in fact there are signs of marginal improvement, particularly in response to the ongoing implementation of universal free education.”

The opposition remained divided and were unable to align in time for the polls.

At least six candidates, including former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo, withdrew from the presidential race.

Tshisekedi faces 18 challengers in the race including Martin Fayulu, wealthy businessman and former Katanga province governor, Moïse Katumbi and Dr Denis Mukwege.