Around 43.9m Congolese register to vote in December election
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- 13 Jun 2023
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Congo's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced on Monday that approximately 43.9 million voters have been registered for the upcoming general elections in December. This number reflects an increase from the previous poll, which had 40.4 million registered voters. However, some members of the opposition have raised concerns about possible irregularities.
As the December 20 polls approach, political tension is mounting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). President Felix Tshisekedi is expected to run for a second term, adding to the anticipation surrounding the elections.
Over the weekend, security forces dispersed anti-government protests using tear gas. The demonstrators echoed the complaints of opposition candidates, alleging delays and irregularities in the lead-up to the elections. Additionally, the protesters expressed their anger over the escalating cost of living and the surging violence in the eastern part of the country, where armed militia groups are engaged in conflicts over land and mineral resources.
Due to the prevailing insecurity, registering voters in certain areas has become impossible. CENI acknowledges this challenge and is actively seeking solutions to ensure the inclusion of voters from these regions.
Opposition leaders have greeted the voter registration figures with skepticism. They point out that the commission appointed its own auditors to review the numbers within a span of five days. In contrast, the International Organisation of La Francophonie, which conducted an audit during the previous registration process in 2018, declined to cooperate with CENI this year due to the limited timeframe.
An unnamed CENI official affirmed the meticulous and thorough nature of the audit, standing by its integrity and accuracy.
