DRC launches voter registration ahead of upcoming polls

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s electoral commission has began voter registration ahead of the country’s general elections.

The electoral body started the registration which could take about ten months in the North West part of the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission was granted 90 days to complete the operations in the province of North Ubangi district.

Corneille Nangaa, CENI President said, “We said that we need 16 months and one day to complete this operation. We have just use the first five months and the operation continues normally as we planned. So technically we are comfortable because we’re following our program or our plan as such. In the coming days we will publish the timetable of the entire operation of the electoral register. And of course we expect to publish the calendar as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations has reiterated its support to the Congolese Government for the successful implementation of the electoral process and encouraged the electoral body to implement a transparent and credible way for the elections.

The vote is due on November but president Joseph Kabila’s government has said logistical problems are likely to delay it and has not set a new date.

According to his opponents, Kabila is seeking to extend his term in office by postponing presidential elections set for November this year. Moreover, the 44 year old has been accused of trying to amend the country’s term limits.

However, under the current constitution, Kabila is not legible to vie for presidency has he has already run for two consecutive terms. Kabila has ruled the country for the past 15 years following the assassination of his father Laurent Kabila.

The November elections could be the first democratic transition in the war torn country.