Due to problems at several polling stations voting in the

Due to problems at several polling stations, voting in the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo will be extended until this Thursday

Opposition candidates point to the “constitutional impossibility” of extending the vote

MADRID, December 21 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Independent National Electoral Commission (Ceni) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has determined that voting will continue this Thursday at polling stations that had problems opening their doors on December 20, the official date of the general elections.

The president of Ceni, Denis Kadima, who did not specify the number of offices in question, announced in an interview on state television RTNC that the voting centers opened later would remain open beyond their official closure “to allow everyone to vote.” Voters to vote.

For its part, the Congolese government had encouraged the electoral body to “take measures to ensure the right to vote for all Congolese and to respond to some difficulties that have arisen”, while welcoming “the massive mobilization” of the population in elections “that is taking place in…” In general it’s good” and condemned the “observed acts of vandalism” in the country.

However, several opposition election candidates have called on the authorities, civil society and the international community to demand that the elections be held without irregularities with a modified electoral commission, as they emphasize that the constitution and electoral law provide that the elections cannot be extended a new day.

“Legally speaking, there is no possible exception on election day. The exception only applies to opening and closing times. Such an exception of time, not day, must be justified and can only be decided under conditions that ensure the equality of citizens before voting in accordance with the provisions,” said a joint statement.

They pointed out that “from a constitutional and legal point of view it was not possible for the Ceni to deviate from the date set” for the elections and considered that “any other approach amounts to a violent seizure of power and its exercise in violation of the Constitution would be equal”. “

Five of the 19 presidential candidates have signed the text, including candidate Martin Fayulu – who was defeated by current President Félix Tshisekedi in the second round of the 2018 elections – and presidential candidate Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Some 44 million people will elect the president, parliament and their representatives in regional assemblies and local councils, and the vote will be the first time the country has held elections following a democratic transition – after the 2018 election, when Tshisekedi was the successor since independence by Joseph Kabila took office in 1960. Tshisekedi is seeking a second term at the helm of the African country after a tense election campaign.

Tshisekedi, son of historic opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi, who died in 2017, faces a total of 21 candidates after a campaign marked by distrust of the electoral commission's role and episodes of violence at various campaign events by prominent opponents. This time the elections are taking place despite calls from some opponents for a postponement, particularly because of increasing insecurity in the east, where dozens of armed groups operate, including one linked to the Islamic State.