By CHIMPREPORTS
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has extended the voting period for an additional day due to delayed delivery of voting materials and malfunctions in voting kits on the original election day. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced the extension after acknowledging delays in the deployment of certain electoral materials and equipment, resulting in late openings of some Polling and Counting Stations. Opposition leaders, including Moise Katumbi and Martin Fayulu, rejected the extension, considering it illegal and criticized the poor management of the electoral process by CENI.
CENI defended its decision, citing the principle of equal rights for all citizens. In cases where the Voting and Counting Stations did not open at all, the exceptional voting day was scheduled for December 21, 2023, from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. The extension aimed to ensure that all voters could participate without discrimination.
The 2023 general elections in the DRC are crucial for testing the stability of democratic processes in the country. Over 40 million voters were expected to fill 1,511 seats from a pool of over 100,000 candidates. The election occurred against the backdrop of a conflict in North Kivu, where government forces have been battling M23 rebels.
Observers, numbering over 25,000, were set to monitor the election, while the DRC blocked East African Community (EAC) Election Observers without providing a reason. The electoral commission reported over 3,000 attempted hacks of its servers but assured that the security system had repelled the attacks.
A poll suggested that President Felix Tshisekedi was expected to win the election, with 55% of those with a strong intention to vote expressing support for a second term for Tshisekedi. The opposition remained divided, with at least six candidates, including former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo, withdrawing from the presidential race. Tshisekedi faced 18 challengers, including Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, and Dr. Denis Mukwege.
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