Catholic bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are making an appeal for peaceful, free and fair elections as this African nation prepares to go to polls in December this year.
The prelates are concerned that past general elections are normally marred with violence, forcing some of the Congolese voters not to manage to cast their votes.
In their June 22 statement, addressed to the Government, the country’s national Independent Electoral Commission and the general Congolese voters, the Catholic prelates said, “When it comes to new candidates, let’s give priority to the objective criteria of competence and moral integrity.”
Latest reports from the countries from the county’s eastern region and in particular Kivu show some parts/regions of the country continue to face pockets of conflicts, which might affect the voting exercise, come the scheduled December 22 general elections.
The bishops are also concerned about the independence of the national independent electoral Commission as a national electoral body. Charged with the heavy responsibility of undertaking this mission, the planning and announcing of the results.
The bishops said in their June 22 statement, “Given the unfortunate experiences of past cycles, let’s not leave the polling stations until the results have been posted. With the results posted at the polling station level, we will already have a clear idea of the winners.”
Major portion of conflicts and general violence and in particular in Kivu has been blamed on the rebel M23, reportedly said to receive support from the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and Uganda.
Some reports say that the United Nation has for example these neighboring countries of availing operational bases to these rebel groups.
The legible Congolese voters will on December 22 this year go to polls to elect the President, Members of Parliament, Members of the Provincial Assemblies, and Members of Commune Councils.
The bishops also urged the Congolese voters to prioritise the “competence and moral integrity” of political candidates they are to elect during the pending country’s December 22 general elections.
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