NDI-IFES Election Experts Recommend Broad Review of Electoral Process in the DRC

Joint mission concludes that meaningful stakeholder participation and access to all relevant electoral materials are needed for a comprehensive review

A team of international election experts has recommended a broad review of the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with the meaningful participation of all electoral stakeholders and access to all relevant electoral materials. The team, from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), was in the DRC from Jan. 5 to 13 assessing the feasibility of conducting a review of the results of the Nov. 28 legislative elections. 

The experts consulted with electoral authorities, major political parties, Congolese and international election observers and others to ascertain the feasibility of a complete review of the process by a subsequent mission. The team found, however, that it would not be feasible to conduct such a broad review at this time. 

NDI and IFES shared these conclusions with the DRC’s National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) on Jan.12, and confirmed that both organizations stand ready to support such a review if their assistance is requested.

IFES and NDI remain committed to assisting efforts to advancing credible, democratic elections in the DRC. The organizations would like to thank all stakeholders consulted during the mission, for the time they spent with the group in the midst of the ongoing electoral cycle. 

The mission was funded through a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Related:

• NDI and IFES deploy international election experts to DRC»
• During NDI mission, Congolese political parties reconvene all-party forum, adopt anti-sexual violence statement»
• DRC women running for office with help from global women's network»

Published Jan. 25, 2012