The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) president Dénis Kadima says insecurity and lack of sufficient financial resources to fund operations threaten the smooth holding of this year’s elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Addressing the press on Sunday, Kadima says these constraints could prevent the holding of elections within the constitutional deadlines.
He said with six months from election day, insecurity and financial risks have continued to haunt the proper organization of the polls.
“When publishing its roadmap in February 2022 and its timetable in November of the same year, the Independent National Electoral Commission publicly mentioned the risks that could prevent the organization of general elections in December 2023. Fortunately, some of its risks have been reduced. These include the legal framework, which is now complete with the recent promulgation of the law on the distribution of seats for national, provincial, municipal and local legislative elections. However, the security and financial risks persist,” said Kadima.
Meanwhile, CENI has postponed the registration of voters in the territory of Kwamouth, province of Maï-Ndombe to a later date.
The announcement was made on Sunday by Kadima.
“Contrary to its press release number 25 of June 12, 2023, the CENI wishes to announce the postponement of the registration of voters in the territory of Kwamouth in the province of Maï-Ndombe to a later date pending final consultations with the security authorities,“ he said.
The degrading security situation in the area following the community conflicts between Teke and Yaka and the Mobondo is the reason for the postponement.
Meanwhile, the CENI has officially opened nominations of national and provincial deputies effective June 26, 2023.
Kadima says the nomination period will run for 20 days through to July 15, 2023. After receipt of the nominations, the candidates filings will be scrutinized before being validated.
On August 2, the Independent National Electoral Commission will once again convene the electorate for provincial deputies and municipal councillors which will run through 22, 2022.
On September 1, 2023, the CENI will start receiving applications for nominations for the Presidential election scheduled for December 20, 2023.
