Polls officially open as Congolese vote to elect new leaders

Polls have officially opened in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as citizens vote to elect a new president,  members of the National Assembly, and members of provincial bodies and municipal councils for the next five years.

Polls opened at 6 am local time (CAT) at voting centres across the country although delays are being witnessed in some parts. Polls are scheduled to close at 4 pm local time (CAT). Voters who will still be in queue by 4 pm will however be allowed to cast their ballots.

20 candidates, including incumbent president Félix Tshisekedi, Martin Fayulu, Moise Katumbi, Dennis Mukwege, and Adolphe Muzito have been cleared to contest the presidency in one of Africa's most populous countries. This is despite the fact that 26 candidates were previously cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and the constitutional courts to contest in the presidential race. However, 6 out of the 26 subsequently pulled out of the race. Of the 6 candidates who have withdrawn,  4 are backing Katumbi while 2 including Joëlle Bile have thrown their support behind Tshisekedi  for the presidency.

Also in the race is Marie Josée Ifoku Mputa, the only female candidate in the 2023 presidential contest as well as in 2018.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) ,close to 44 million registered voters are expected to vote in this year’s election.

This election could mark the country’s second peaceful transition of power since gaining independence from Belgium in 1960.

In the 2018 election, Félix Tshisekedi (UDPS) secured the presidency with 38.57% of the total votes cast amidst allegations of irregularities and challenges such as faulty voting machines and delays in opening of polling stations on election day.

Meanwhile, concerns about transparency in the 2023 elections are rife, particularly after the withdrawal of the European Union observer mission, and ongoing insecurity in the volatile eastern part of the country which can potentially impede millions of people from voting.

Per the electoral law, the candidate who secures  the highest number of votes in the first round will be declared the winner of the election, since there is no second-round (runoff). According to CENI, provisional results are expected to be declared on December 31.

The winner of the presidential election will be sworn into office on 20^th  January 2024.