Democratic Republic of the Congo, presidential, parliamentary, provincial and municipal elections 20 December 2023: AISA election observation mission report

Abstract

The Human Science Research Council (HSRC) Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) Election Observation Mission (EOM) report highlights a complex electoral landscape marked by historical challenges and international scrutiny. Previous elections, notably those in 2018, faced criticism and internal hurdles yet the international community accepted the outcomes in the interest of stability. Despite concerns expressed by Bintou Keita the head of the United Nations (UN) mission regarding suboptimal conditions in the December 2018 elections, the DRC witnessed a delicate interplay of domestic and international pressures in responding to a legitimacy crisis. The 2023 elections, amalgamating national, provincial, and local councils, marked a significant milestone by extending voting rights to the diaspora, allowing citizens from South Africa, the United States, France, and Belgium to participate. The AISA Election Observation Mission's (EOM} comprehensive analysis identified key challenges in the 2023 elections. These challenges encompassed inadequate infrastructure and accessibility at polling stations, particularly in La Gombe, raising concerns about inclusivity for individuals with disabilities and the elderly. Additionally, the voter registration period witnessed difficulties, including long queues in the conflict-ridden eastern DRC, alleged irregularities, closure of registration centres, uneven distribution of enrolment machines, and shortages of voting kits. Communication breakdowns by The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) officials led to frustration among voters, and technical and operational challenges on election day included user-unfriendly voting procedures, insufficient ballot secrecy guarantees, technical glitches, and malfunctions of voting devices.