The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) general election, initially scheduled for December 20, 2023, has been extended to a second day following polling delays and closures, as was recently announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). More than 20 presidential candidates took part in the poll, including incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi.
Delays experienced at some polling locations prevented some eligible voters from participating in the December 20 ballot. Consequently, CENI has granted these affected individuals an extra day to cast their votes. Throughout these events, CENI has consistently expressed a strong commitment to ensuring that every voter has an opportunity to cast their ballot.
A group of five presidential candidates are contesting the legality of CENI’s decision, with top opposition candidates, Martin Fayulu and Denis Mukwege, among the challengers. The group issued a statement to this effect.
This one-day extension is unfolding in a tense and turbulent election cycle marred by acts of violence. Notably, earlier this month, several individuals were injured by gunshots at a rally for opposition candidate Moïse Katumbi. In the run-up to this week’s polling, two parliamentary candidates were killed. Calls have also been made by Human Rights Watch (HRW), urging Congolese authorities to investigate the election-related violence.
The DRC, being the world’s largest producer of cobalt and Africa’s biggest producer of copper, plays a significant role in global clean energy developments. The outcome of this election, therefore, has potential ramifications for many sectors worldwide. It is important to note, however, that mining progress in the DRC is not without grave implications for its inhabitants. A recent Amnesty International report revealed that, in the quest to accommodate expanding mining operations, the DRC’s residents are being forcibly evicted from their homes.
While all this unfolds, the limited presence of international election observers due to security concerns underscores the precariousness of the situation. The European Union, for instance, initially planned to undertake an electoral observation mission, but it was cancelled due to the prevailing unrest.
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