As elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are underway, will the country’s electoral commission deliver credible elections?
Development Diaries had earlier reported that the elections present another opportunity for DRC citizens to choose leaders who will fast-track development in the country.
It is understood that the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) promised to deliver free and fair elections, defying pressure from politicians to postpone the polls.
Will the commission come through with its promise?
Media reports have revealed some logistics concerns as far as the elections are concerned. A report by Aljazeera revealed that voting commenced after almost a three-hour delay.
It is understood that challenges have been observed in the voting process that may jeopardise the validity of the votes in the country.
Following events between rival candidate supporters last week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) had already issued a warning that violence related to the election could undermine the vote.
Local rights organisation, Lutte Pour Le Changement (LUCHA), has also expressed concern over the way the elections were conducted, citing numerous issues with the credibility, transparency, and reliability of the results.
Life in DRC is not getting better for the majority of its citizens for a variety of reasons, including conflict, corruption, and many years of bad government stemming from the colonial past, despite the country’s enormous mineral resources and population. Therefore, selecting good leaders is a vital step towards achieving development.
Assessing the fairness, transparency, and credibility of the electoral process is crucial for understanding the legitimacy of the election results. Factors such as voter registration, access to polling stations, and the conduct of the election itself are significant considerations.
Also, identifying challenges and concerns related to the electoral process, such as allegations of fraud, voter suppression, or violence, is essential.
Development Diaries calls on DRC’s national electoral body – CENI to live up to expectations and deliver on free, fair and credible elections for the country and its citizens.
Photo source: Getty Images
