Seventy-seven candidates, including three ministers and four governors, have been disqualified from participating in the recent elections held in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to accusations of fraud and violence, as confirmed by the country’s electoral body.
The decision, affecting candidates in legislative, provincial, and local elections, was announced by the electoral commission. Notably, the announcement did not address the presidential election, which resulted in President Félix Tshisekedi’s landslide victory.
The opposition has vehemently criticized the entire election process as a “sham” and is pushing for a rerun. Despite this outcry, only one of the 19 opposition candidates has taken legal action.
The major opposition figures have expressed distrust in the courts and instead have called for protests without specifying the timing.
The election held on December 20 faced significant logistical challenges, with widespread problems reported. In various parts of the country, voting had to be extended to an unplanned second day.
Reports indicated that around two-thirds of polling stations opened late, and nearly 30% of voting machines malfunctioned on the first day, causing lengthy delays that discouraged many voters, leading them to abandon their attempt to cast their ballots and return home.
The electoral commission, in its statement disqualifying the 82 candidates, cited instances of fraud, corruption, violent acts against election personnel and voters, and damage to election equipment as reasons for their exclusion.
Among those barred from participating were government ministers and provincial governors, including Antoinette Kipulu Kabenga, Didier Mazenga Mukanzu, Nana Manuanina Kihimba, and Gentiny Ngobila. As of now, they have not responded to the allegations made against them.
While the results for the contested elections involving the disqualified candidates are pending, all votes cast for these individuals have been nullified.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Denis Kadima, the head of the electoral commission, has maintained that the presidential election’s outcome accurately reflects the will of the Congolese populace.
President Tshisekedi, 60, secured a second term by winning 73% of the vote, while his closest rival, mining magnate and former provincial governor Moise Katumbi, secured 18%. The official voter turnout stood at approximately 43% of the 41 million registered voters.
President Tshisekedi is scheduled to be sworn in for his second term on January 20.
