Officials from the election observation missions of the Catholic (Cenco) and Protestant (ECC) Churches met on Saturday, December 30, with the President of the Electoral Commission, Denis Kadima, following the general elections, including the presidential election, on December 20. While the opposition and observers have pointed to irregularities, the tension in waiting for the results is palpable. The observers then wanted to discuss their recommendations in advance.
Published on: December 30, 2023 – 7:12 p.m. Modified on: December 31, 2023 – 01:57 am
2 minutes
With our special correspondents in Kinshasa, Paulina Zidi and Boris Vicith
In the Democratic Republic of Congo the A big announcement is planned for this Sunday, December 31st: In fact, within the next five years, the country will know the name of its next president. Last week the Congolese were called to general elections: presidential, but also parliamentary, provincial and sub-municipal elections.
On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) of the Bosolo Center will only announce the preliminary overall results for the top office. This Saturday, officials from the Election Observation Mission of the Catholic Church (Cenco) and the Protestant Church (ECC) met with the President of the Electoral Commission, Denis Kadima. They released a preliminary report two days ago and came to discuss their recommendations, said Denis Kadima, President of the Electoral Commission, at the end of the interview.
They came as part of our occasional consultations to share their observations with us and receive answers from us. It was basically what they said at their press conference and what is said in their statement, we didn't talk about everything otherwise it would take us a lot of time. We didn't talk about the participation rates, but we talked about the irregularities and we all also recognized that these irregularities were localized, not on a large scale, but as far as the conclusion is concerned, they have the Cenco and the ECC SCC and the Ceni. Regarding the result, we came to the same conclusion.
According to Denis Kadima, the Céni and the Cenco-ECC “talked about the irregularities and we all also recognized that these irregularities were localized: they were not major irregularities.”
Paulina ZidiBoris Vichith
According to Denis Kadima, “there is a convergence of views” between the results of the Céni and those of the Cenco-ECC. “We have compiled the results in full, there is the Cenco that has done this on a statistical basis: there is a convergence of views. This means the job was done well with some margin. If we all did it alone, we would have no independent voices to attest to the quality of our work. »
I don't think people should worry, this process has been exemplary in many ways. The candidates were all accepted. Think about the level of transparency of the results. You can find them on our website depending on your polling station. And unlike previous elections, the population moves freely, I don't need an army to accompany me and I won't announce these results in a battle tank. I will do it in the same room and it will be in daylight.
According to Denis Kadima, “there is a convergence of views” between the results of the Céni and those of the Cenco
Paulina ZidiBoris Vichith
For a few days now, the CENI has been communicating about the trends of these elections. A good thing for Ithiel Batumike, even if she also has to publish the results according to electoral law. According to this analyst from the Congolese research institute Ebuteli, “the fact that the publication is partial is a good practice because it allows public opinion to calm down and wait serenely for the results, already knowing the trends”.
According to Ithiel Batumike, an analyst at the Congolese Research Institute Ebuteli, publishing partial results is “a good practice” because “it gradually prepares public opinion, which will not have to wait long to know what evolutionary results will be obtained.”
Paulina ZidiBoris Vichith
Read also Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo: The Bishops' Conference is concerned about irregularities in a report