Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s east affecting voter turnout in North Kivu province
In a recent development, an official from the Congolese electoral body has confirmed that violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s east has resulted in the disenfranchisement of voters in the North Kivu province. This revelation comes as incumbent president Tshisekedi conceded that certain areas will not be able to cast their ballots due to ongoing conflicts with M23 rebels.
According to the official, in Rutshuru, only around 10% of the expected voters have been enrolled, and there are no candidates available for the respective polling stations. Similarly, in Masisi, only approximately 1% of voters have enrolled.
With a total of 44 million registered voters, the elections scheduled for December 20 will witness the election of the president, MPs, members of provincial bodies, and municipal councils. However, the ongoing violence has resulted in a significant number of Congolese citizens being unable to exercise their voting rights.
Despite the challenges, Kambale Ngayiremawa, a representative from the electoral body, assured the public that the necessary voting materials will be delivered to the polling sites and emphasized that all preparations are being made to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Unfortunately, a report by an international crisis group highlights that over one million Congolese citizens will be disenfranchised due to the prevailing violence.
In an attempt to address the issue, the electoral commission had previously announced that 16 seats at the National Assembly would be reserved for three territories heavily affected by armed conflict. These territories include Masisi and Rutshuru in the east, as well as Kwamouth in the west of the country.
The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s east is deeply concerning, as the ongoing violence not only poses a threat to the democratic process but also significantly impacts the ability of citizens to participate in the elections. It is crucial that steps be taken to address the underlying issues and create a safe and secure environment for all Congolese citizens to exercise their right to vote.