Quaker Network for the Prevention of Violent Conflict
Le Réseau de quaker pour l'Empêchment de Conflit Violent

Report of QPN DR CONGO on the Presidential and Legislative elections in Democratic Republic of Congo on November 28, 2011

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General Summary

 
In respect of the DR Congo constitutional law and that of its electoral code that regulates the electoral activities for the period of 2011-2013 in DR Congo, Quaker Peace Network (QPN) DR Congo deployed 334 observers in 3 provinces (Kinshasa, North Kivu and South Kivu) to observe the combined presidential and legislative November 28th, 2011 ballot.   Among those observers, 326 were national and 8 international (from Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya). The QPN observation team for the November 28th 2011 presidential and legislative elections in DRC was made of members from the following organizations: CEEACO, Friends United Meeting, Unprogrammed Quakers, Women in Peace Building, CPRGBC, Initiatives pour la Reconciliation Communautaire, Projet Muinda pour la Paix, Church of the Brethren, Fondation Naomi, Organization de Paix pour les Opportunités du Development, Menonites, CAPI and QPN Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.  These organizations work for peace in various places either in DR Congo or outside the country in the fields of trauma healing, reconciliation and sustainable development.  

The findings in this report have not been externally verified by third parties or through additional follow-up with the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) or other bodies.  They should therefore be used to identify potential problems to investigate further rather than as a comprehensive account of the truth.  The findings do not necessarily reflect the views of the members of QPN-DR Congo, but reflect the statements of election observers participating in the program.

 The observations do not provide support for claims of systematic attempts to rig the elections on Election Day, though they do provide prima facie claims of problems that prevented the free and fair expression of the opinions of at least some voters.

Observers noted that the polling stations and bureau were many and voters did not have to make long distances. The eleven hours period for balloting activities was respected and the lists of voters were in alphabetical order. Beside national and international observers, the polling bureau observed by QPN observers had so many observers sent by political parties and the former stayed until the minutes were recorded and signed. QPN observers recognized that the DR Congo CENI regulations were respected during the ballots counting and when forms were being filled.

Regarding challenges, QPN DR Congo observers noted that the electoral material kit was not complete in certain ballot stations and some bureau opened the voting process with 1 or 2 hours delay. The voting booth did not provide enough privacy for voters while casting the ballot. The elderly and handicapped people were not assisted appropriately. CENI allowed the vote by derogation with delay on the same voting day. The polling bureau lacked enough lights when darkness fell, leading to concerns about transparency and confidence of the voting and counting process. Also, QPN observers noted that there was not enough communication between CENI agents in the ballot bureau and those in central offices. Was also noticed that some political parties continued their campaign on the voting day.

 

Recommendations

To CENI

 
To Political parties

 Provide more training in civic education for their observers

 
To civil society

 

Prepared by QPN Central Africa

 

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