Turbulent Elections Unfold In The Democratic Republic Of Congo: A Struggle For Legitimacy And Stability

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) embarked on its presidential and legislative elections on Wednesday amidst a tumultuous campaign marked by opposition claims of fraud, electoral violence, and logistical hiccups that could potentially disenfranchise many voters.

The implications of these elections extend beyond determining the legitimacy of the next administration. Historically, election disputes in the DRC have ignited violent unrest with far-reaching consequences. As the world's third-largest copper producer and the leading producer of cobalt—a crucial component for the green transition—the stakes are high.

Reports of delays emerged in various towns in the rebel-prone east of the DRC. In the capital, Kinshasa, voting materials were delayed at polling stations, and voter lists were not published, contributing to an atmosphere of chaos.

Presidential candidate Martin Fayulu, who finished as the runner-up in the disputed 2018 presidential election, described the situation as "total chaos." While the voting process was reportedly well-organized in the upmarket Gombe district where Fayulu cast his vote, he asserted that this was not the case throughout the rest of the country. Fayulu warned that if people were unable to vote in all the designated polling stations, he and his supporters would not accept the election results.

In eastern cities like Goma and Beni, voters faced challenges finding their names on the lists, which were only made available on the morning of the election. In Bunia, security forces fired warning shots to disperse protesters after a voting center was vandalized and kits destroyed.

The national election commission had assured a free and fair vote across the country, but independent observers and critics highlighted irregularities that could jeopardize the legitimacy of the results. With 44 million Congolese registered to vote, concerns grew as authorities sought additional helicopters, raising questions about the commission's ability to establish polling stations in remote areas with poor infrastructure or security concerns.

Provisional results are anticipated by December 31, with President Felix Tshisekedi vying for a second term against 18 opposition challengers in a mineral-rich yet poverty-stricken nation. Tshisekedi, in his final rally, promised to expand free education policies if re-elected, while opposition candidates focused on pledges of stability, peace, and economic development.

Amidst concerns about electoral transparency, including issues with voter lists and illegible ID cards, Nobel Laureate and opposition candidate Denis Mukwege declared, "It is evident that the greatest electoral fraud of the century is taking place." The election commission, however, repeatedly rejected these claims.

The election, decided in a single round, requires a simple majority. The run-up to the vote has been fraught, with two parliamentary candidates killed in separate incidents on December 15, part of a series of election-related violence condemned by human rights groups and the European Union.

As polls closed at 1600 GMT (11 a.m. ET), residents in Kinshasa expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of their votes. "Every time we vote, we are disappointed, but if I had to vote, it would be for a change," said 43-year-old Lucie Mpiana, who is unemployed.