Congo Elections
From Global Ministries partner in Congo
From Global Ministries partner in Congo
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Bishop Marini Bodho, National President of the Church of Christ in the Congo, met this afternoon with the election observers who took part in the presidential and legislative elections held throughout the republic this past Sunday, July 30th.
Here are some of the points that emerged during this discussion:
-
The Church of Christ in the Congo sent out a total of 661 observers of which 36 came from overseas, 25 from other African nations and 6,580 Congolese;
-
These observers were sent to area in the city of Kinshasa as well as to rural provinces;
-
They were unanimous in their assessment of the free, transparent and democratic nature of the elections
-
They are confident that the poll results are an expression of the will of the people;
-
They noticed a certain maturity with the Congolese population to ensure that rights and democracy exist;
-
In spite of the bugetary constraints, the Independent Electoral Commission did its best to lead the Congolese people to the poll;
-
They highlighted the infatuation of the population to vote as it will soon be 40 years since the country has organized dignified elections;
-
They condemned several isolated cases of splitting the number of voting cards, the late opening of several stations, not paying some of the personnel (Independent Election Commission staff, witnesses, observers and police) who were assigned to different polling stations even though they had to work late hours, even early morning hours on 31 July, 2006;
-
The illegibility of candidates’ photos, given the elevated number of them, did not allow certain electors to choose the candidate of their choice;
-
The illiteracy of the population slowed the voting process in certain areas. The illiteracy rate reaches 60% in certain pockets of the country.
To this day, the least that can be said is that the vote counting continues. The publication of the results will take place on the 20th of this month. The most crucial stage that remains is the « After elections ». As for the presidential elections, the first results are in favor of the incumbent, that is Joseph Kabila. Many are asking if the losers will accept, with fair play, the verdict of the polls. Therefore, your prayers and your solidarity with the DRC are necessary.
Cordial greetings in Christ
Lubaku Lunginga Anderson
Eglise du Christ au Congo